Prime Medicine announced a strategic restructuring, including the deprioritization of its chronic granulomatous disease programs, as well as a cost and workforce reduction to focus on its liver franchise and programs funded through external partnerships.
Prime will focus its internal efforts on the development of in vivo programs for the treatment of Wilson’s disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), two of the largest genetic liver diseases. The company expects to file an IND and/or clinical trial application for its Wilson’s disease program in the first half of 2026 and for its AATD program in mid-2026; initial clinical data from both programs are expected in 2027.
Prime, which just announced initial data for its ex vivo prime edited autologous hematopoietic stem cell product, PM359, in chronic granulomatous disease, is now exploring options for the continued clinical development of the therapy external to the company and ceasing further efforts in X-linked CGD.
Alongside its pipeline prioritization, Prime is undertaking cost reduction measures and restructuring its team, including reducing its organizational headcount by approximately 25%. According to the company, the initiatives are designed to “significantly decrease Prime Medicine’s operating expenses and cash burn, reducing anticipated cash needs by almost half through 2027.”
Prime also revealed that Keith Gottesdiener, MD, has decided to step down as CEO and board of directors member, effective immediately. Allan Reine, MD, Prime’s CFO, has been named CEO and member of the board.
Prime says it will also continue its in vivo cystic fibrosis program with support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and its efforts to develop prime-edited CAR-T products for hematology, immunology and oncology in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb. In addition, Prime will continue to pursue additional business development opportunities to accelerate innovation, ensure the broadest application of prime editing, and further bolster its financial resources.
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