FDA Grants Orphan Drug Status to Beam Therapeutics Inc. (BEAM)’ AATD Gene Therapy

Beam Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:BEAM) has secured U.S. FDA orphan drug designation for BEAM-302, its pioneering genetic medicine targeting alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), a rare inherited disorder that can cause severe lung and liver disease. BEAM-302, delivered via liver-targeting lipid nanoparticles, is designed to correct the underlying DNA mutation responsible for AATD, offering hope for a one-time, potentially curative treatment. This regulatory milestone follows the recent Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation, underscoring the therapy’s promise and the urgent need for effective AATD solutions.

A biotechnologist in a lab coat discussing a therapeutic antibody with a colleague.

Preliminary data from ongoing Phase 1/2 trials show BEAM-302 is well tolerated and achieves dose-dependent, durable correction of the disease-causing mutation, with protein levels exceeding therapeutic thresholds in the 60 mg dose group.

Dosing in higher cohorts is underway, with more results from Beam Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:BEAM) expected later in 2025. Orphan drug designation brings significant benefits, including tax credits, user fee exemptions, and up to seven years of market exclusivity post-approval, accelerating development for this first-in-class base editing therapy for AATD, a condition with no current curative treatments.

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