ViroPharma Inc. (VPHM) recently announced that its lead drug, Cinryze (intravenous formulation) is now available in the United Kingdom (UK) for the prevention, pre-procedure prevention, and treatment of attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adolescent and adult patients.
HAE is a rare, debilitating and life-threatening genetic disorder, which causes the larynx, face, abdomen, extremities and urogenital tract to swell.
We note that Cinryze is currently marketed in the US for the prevention of angioedema attacks in adolescent and adult patients with HAE.
Further, the drug has priority review status in Canada for the prevention, pre-procedure prevention, and treatment of attacks of HAE in patients who are six years or older. The company expects Health Canada to complete its review of Cinryze by the second half of 2012.
We note that ViroPharma along with partner Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. (HALO) is currently studying Cinryze in the subcutaneous formulation, using the latter’s rHuPH20 (recombinant human hyaluronidase). In December last year, the companies reported positive top-line data from a mid-stage trial on the drug. The phase II study was designed to evaluate the safety, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the subcutaneous formulation of Cinryze in combination with Halozyme’s Enhanze technology, in patients suffering from HAE.
The Enhanze technology is a proprietary drug-delivery platform, using Halozyme’s rHuPH20. This proprietary rHuPH20 enzyme facilitates the absorption and dispersion of drugs or fluids that are injected under the skin.
We currently have a Neutral recommendation on ViroPharma. The stock carries a Zacks #3 Rank (Strong Hold rating) in the short-run.
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