SMNΔ7 and C/C SMA mouse models carrying the human SMN2 transgene
“The in vivo activity of RIS was investigated in 2 different SMA mouse models (SMNΔ7 and C/C), which both carry the human SMN2 transgene”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 12Source ↗
Why that model
SMN2 exists only in humans, so in vivo models require transgenic mice carrying human SMN2
“The intended pharmacological target, the SMN2 gene, exists only in humans, and thus a pharmacological responder species as requested by existing guidelines does not exist unless studies are conducted in transgenic mouse models.”
EMA: the two SMA mouse models support SMN protein increase in brain and muscle, but the clinical SMN target could not be verified
“Since the applicant did not provide the baseline SMN levels in the two transgenic SMA mouse models, it is not possible to verify such clinical target, However, it is agreed that data from the two mouse SMA models suggest a positive correlation between FL SMN protein increases and increase in the brain and quadriceps.”