SwiftBio Therapeutics, a gene therapy research and development company, has conducted a healthcare resource use study on the devastating effects of AMN (adrenomyeloneuropathy). The study highlighted the substantial burden and economic impact on both men and women, and reaffirmed the need for effective AAV-based therapies to address this progressive neurological condition.
SwanBio Therapeutics has uncovered a startling burden associated with AMN: those affected experience higher rates of comorbidities, hospitalizations, prescription fills, healthcare costs, and poorer clinical outcomes than their peers. This data clearly shows that the current standard of care is not enough for those affected by AMN and that they deserve better.
SwanBio recently conducted a research study to analyze how men and women affected by Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) differ in terms of resource utilization and health outcomes compared to those without the condition. The study delved into a vast collection of commercial insurance and Medicare claims to assess the differences between the two groups.
Adults with AMN have been found to have significantly higher rates of comorbidities, such as peripheral vascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, and liver disease. For example, compared to the general population, men with AMN had four times the rate of peripheral vascular disease (4.6% vs. 0.9%), while women had four times the rate of chronic pulmonary disease (6.0% vs. 3.6%), and six times the rate of liver disease (5.6% vs. 0.8%).
A stark comparison exists between the number of hospital admissions among those living with AMN and the general population: 32.0% of men and 23.2% of women living with AMN had at least one hospital admission, compared to 6.1% and 7.2%, respectively, for the general population.
Adults living with AMN aged 18-64 who are commercially insured are bearing a hefty price tag when it comes to their medical expenses; in particular, men with AMN are incurring an astounding 10 times more in annualized all-cause direct medical costs than their female counterparts. Furthermore, men living with AMN are also taking almost four times as many prescription medications, with 18.1 pharmacy fills per year compared to the 5.4 average for women.
Mortality rates for those between the ages of 18 and 64 living with AMN and enrolled in Medicare are alarmingly high: 39.3% for men and 15.7% for women. On top of that, the age at death for men with AMN is nine years younger than average, while women with AMN die three years younger than the average.
About Adrenomyeloneuropathy
Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) is a rare, yet debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects up to 10,000 men in the United States and EU5 countries. This devastating condition is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene that disrupt the function of spinal cord cells and other tissues, leading to a progressive loss of mobility, incontinence, pain, and sexual dysfunction.
Unfortunately, there are no approved treatments for AMN so individuals must rely on symptom management to cope with this debilitating disease.
About SBT101
SBT101 is an innovative gene therapy that is the first of its kind to target adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). Preclinical studies have shown that treatment with SBT101 has resulted in noticeable improvements in disease markers, as well as improved motor function in mice. Furthermore, a six-month study on non-human primates showed that SBT101 is well-tolerated.
Based on this promising data, plus SwanBio’s extensive knowledge of AMN’s underlying pathophysiology and patient experience, a clinical program for SBT101 is underway. To further enhance understanding of AMN, SwanBio is also conducting a proprietary natural history study, CYGNET.
SBT101 has been granted special recognition from two of the world’s leading drug regulatory bodies – the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The FDA has awarded SBT101 Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designation, while the EMA has granted Orphan Drug Designation. These designations demonstrate the potential of SBT101 to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by rare diseases.
About SwanBio Therapeutics
SwanBio Therapeutics is on a mission to revolutionize the treatment of devastating, inherited neurological conditions. By developing gene therapies to be delivered intrathecally, they are targeting paths within the central and peripheral nervous systems with the potential to be applied across three distinct disease classifications.
Their lead program is being advanced towards clinical development to treat adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). With the support of long-term, committed investors such as Syncona, Ltd. and Mass General Brigham Ventures, SwanBio is bringing life-changing treatments to those who need them most.