NPS Pharma files BLA for Natpara in hypoparathyroidism

US biotech company NPS Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: NPSP) has submitted its Biologic License Application (BLA) to the US Food and Drug Administration for Natpara (recombinant human parathyroid hormone 1-84, rhPTH(1-84)).

Natpara is a bioengineered replacement for endogenous parathyroid hormone (PTH) that NPS has developed for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism, a rare endocrine disorder in which the body produces insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone, a principal regulatory of the body’s mineral homeostasis.

“Submitting our BLA for Natpara is a significant step forward for NPS in our effort to bring the first replacement therapy to patients with hypoparathyroidism,” said Francois Nader, president and chief executive of NPS Pharmaceuticals, noting: “Hypoparathyroidism patients face a significant burden of disease given the multitude of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms associated with this disorder.”