FDA extends PDUFA Target Action Date and continues review of deramiocel BLA – Capricor Therapeutics
Capricor Therapeutics announced that the FDA has extended the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date for its Biologics License Application (BLA) for Deramiocel, an investigational cell therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), from 22 August 2026 to 22 November 2026.
As part of its ongoing discussions with the FDA following the July 2026 Advisory Committee meeting, Capricor submitted an amendment to the BLA that includes 24-month open-label extension data from its pivotal Phase 3 HOPE-3 study and additional robustness analyses, with a request that the FDA review the existing and new data in support of a refined proposed indication focused on upper limb function, the primary endpoint of HOPE-3. The FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) accepted the amendment for review, citing the significant unmet medical need in DMD. The FDA has classified the submission as a major amendment and extended the PDUFA target action date by three months to allow additional time to review the information.
“With an additional year of follow-up from HOPE-3, we now have one of the most extensive clinical datasets evaluating upper limb function in Duchenne,” said Linda Marbán, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Capricor. “HOPE-3 met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant benefit in upper limb function, and we believe the additional open-label data and further analyses included in the amendment strengthen the evidence supporting a refined proposed indication. We appreciate the FDA’s continued engagement and look forward to working constructively with the agency as it completes its review.”
Marbán continued, “The powerful testimony shared by patients, families and clinicians at the July Advisory Committee meeting underscored the importance of preserving upper limb function and the independence it provides for people living with Duchenne. In a progressive disease where function, once lost, cannot be recovered, we believe preservation of upper limb function has the potential to translate into meaningful differences in patients’ independence and daily lives. That impact reinforces the urgency of our work and our commitment to bringing Deramiocel to the Duchenne community as soon as possible.”
