A Study of FCX-013 Plus Veledimex for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Localized Scleroderma (Morphea)
brief summary
A two-component therapeutic consisting of FCX-013 and veledimex for the treatment of localized scleroderma (or morphea). The first component, FCX-013, is autologous human fibroblasts genetically-modified using lentivirus and encoded for matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a protein responsible for breaking down collagen. FCX-013 is designed to be injected under the skin at the location of the fibrotic lesions where the genetically-modified fibroblast cells will produce MMP-1 to break down excess collagen accumulation. With the FCX-013 therapy, the patient will take an oral compound (Veledimex) to induce MMP-1 protein expression from the injected cells. Once the fibrosis is resolved, the patient will stop taking the oral compound which will stop further MMP-1 production from the injected cells. FCX-013 plus veledimex is being developed in anticipation of improving skin function in patients by resolving fibrotic lesions and normalizing dermal collagen production
detailed description
Castle Creek is developing a two-component therapeutic product for the treatment of moderate to severe localized scleroderma (morphea). The first component is FCX-013, an autologous genetically modified human dermal fibroblast (GM-HDFs) cell product that is genetically modified with a lentiviral vector (LV) to express human matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1). MMP1 is also known as interstitial collagenase or fibroblast collagenase and is an enzyme that under normal physiological conditions breaks down the extracellular matrix. Specifically, MMP1 breaks down interstitial collagens, types I, II and III. In addition, the FCX-013 cells are also transduced with genetic constructs that encode the RheoSwitch Therapeutic System® (RTS®) an inducible promotor system that in the presence of a small molecule activator ligand controls expression of the MMP1 gene. The RTS® is activated to express MMP1 by the oral administration of the small molecule component. The purpose of this open-label single arm Phase 1/2 study is to investigate the safety and effectiveness of FCX-013 plus veledimex.
official title
A Phase 1/2 Study of a Combination of FCX-013 (Genetically-Modified Autologous Human Dermal Fibroblasts) Plus Veledimex for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Localized Scleroderma (Morphea)