WTX101 – an investigational drug for the treatment of Wilson disease

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Wilson disease (WD) is a genetic disorder in which excess toxic copper accumulates in the liver, brain, and other tissues leading to severe and life-threatening symptoms. Copper overload can be assessed as non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper (NCC) in blood. Current therapies are limited by efficacy, safety concerns, and multiple-daily dosing.

Areas covered: This article reviews the literature on WTX101 (bis-choline tetrathiomolybdate), an oral first-in-class copper–protein-binding agent in development for the treatment of WD.

Expert opinion: In a proof-of-concept phase II trial, once-daily WTX101 over 24 weeks rapidly lowered NCC levels and this was accompanied by improved neurological status without apparent initial drug-induced paradoxical worsening, reduced disability, stable liver function, with a favorable safety profile. WTX101 directly removes excess copper from intracellular hepatic copper stores and also forms an inert tripartite complex with copper and albumin in the circulation and promotes biliary copper excretion. These mechanisms may explain the rapid biochemical and clinical improvements observed. A phase III trial of WTX101 is ongoing and results are eagerly awaited to confirm if WTX101 can improve the treatment of this devastating disease.

KEYWORDS:

• Chelation therapy
• copper
• tetrathiomolybdate
• Wilson disease

Box 1. Drug summary box.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Emma Marshman for providing medical writing support which was funded by Wilson Therapeutics AB.

Declaration of interest

K. H. Weiss has received grants and personal fees from Wilson Therapeutics AB, Univar, GMPO, Bayer, and Alexion, and personal fees from Vivet Therapeutics, BMS, Novartis, and Orphan Europe. A. Członkowska reports grants and personal fees from Wilson Therapeutics AB, the Polish Government and grants from USF Davies. P. Hedera has served on advisory boards for Wilson Therapeutics AB. P. Ferenci has served on advisory boards for Wilson Therapeutics AB, Vivet Therapeutics and Univar. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank Emma Marshman for providing medical writing support which was funded by Wilson Therapeutics AB.