Patient Expert for NICE – Teach Rare Project
Richard Poulin IIIAfter advocating and sharing a parents perspective to the EMA, Eladocagene exuparvovec (Upstaza™) gene therapy received approval EU. However, we continued our efforts and shared our parent’s perspective to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
For gene therapy to be approved for a rare disease leads to future advancements and more medical innovation. Due to the prevalence of AADC deficiency, collecting data on the effectiveness is limited which is why it is important we share our caregivers voice to ensure all the data (quantitative and qualitative) are heard and understood.
The panel included decision makers and stakeholders. The goal was to “appraise the clinical and cost effectiveness of eladocagene exuparvovec within its marketing authorisation for treating aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency.”
The panel had sought to understand the data and had great questions by the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England. In addition, Metabolic Support UK played an instrumental role in helping us prepare and provide a framework in how we share data. A big thank you is deserved by Metabolic Support UK. Finally, the Royal College of Physicians were also in attendance.
Eladocagene exuparvovec (Upstaza™) is a gene therapy developed by PTC Therapeutics for the treatment of human aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. Eladocagene exuparvovec comprises an adeno-associated virus vector that delivers the dopa decarboxylase (DDC) gene, the gene for human AADC. Eladocagene exuparvovec was approved in July 2022 in the EU for the treatment of patients aged 18 months and older with a clinical, molecular, and genetically confirmed diagnosis of AADC deficiency with a severe phenotype (i.e. patients who cannot sit, stand or walk).
NICE Meetings
We attended several meetings, including the committee meeting comprised of various stakeholders in the UK healthcare industry. In addition, the committee meeting was public, so there were a lot of eyes watching and listening.
We also contributed an evaluation form and submitted a detailed personal statement. We remained unbias in all of our statements, but ultimately the results of our family meant that we hoped PTC’s gene therapy would be available to families in the UK.
NICE Public Involvement Programme
Having patients and parents involved in the drug approval process is thanks to NICE Public Involvement Programme (PIP). NICE supports involving users, carers, organizations, and members of the public to represent their interests. Their involvement is used to develop our guidance and other products and support. They want those who are most directly affected by our recommendations involved in the process. This is a fantastic initiative, and we were thankful to participate.
