Shire has discontinued development of BAX 335, an experimental gene therapy for hemophilia B, inherited earlier this year in Shire's acquisition of Baxalta.
According to Shire CEO Flemming Ornskov, the company is now focusing on a next-generation preclinical program for hemophilia B and an experimental hemophilia A treatment, BAX 888, that could begin trials as soon as the end of this year.
Shire chose not to move BAX 335 into Phase 3 trials due to what they are calling “inconsistent results."
Shire's decision to end BAX 335 opens the door for companies who are advancing hemophilia B treatments, such as Spark and UniQure.
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