BRIEF—Orchard and Er-Kim ink Libmeldy distribution deal

Orchard Therapeutics has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Turkish drugmaker Er-Kim, for the gene therapy Libmeldy (atidarsagene autotemcel).

Libmeldy is currently the only approved therapy for children with early-onset metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare and fatal neurometabolic disorder.

The agreement grants Er-Kim exclusive rights to identify eligible patients in countries including Turkey, Russia and Ukraine.

MLD has a higher incidence rate in Turkish and Eurasian populations compared to the USA and Europe.

Er-Kim chief executive Cem Zorlular said: “Libmeldy is a potentially transformative therapy for eligible children with early-onset MLD who previously had no approved treatment options.”