Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
PKD is a rare, genetic blood disorder. PKD is caused by a defect in the PKLR gene which is responsible for energy production in red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs carry oxygen to the rest of the body. When the PKLR gene has a defect, RBCs are limited in their ability to produce energy and remain intact. As a result, patients with PKD frequently have anemia, chronic fatigue, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and enlarged spleens.
RP-L301 is a gene therapy product containing autologous (patient-derived) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that have been genetically modified with a lentiviral vector to contain a functional copy of the PKLR gene. RP-L301 has the potential to correct multiple disease elements associated with PKD. Due to the number of patients who could benefit from RP-L301, Rocket’s PKD program has the potential to become its largest lentiviral vector program.