

Drug discovery
42
drugs
With orphan designations
Overview
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is an autosomal codominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in the SERPINA1 gene, leading to reduced levels/functionality of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). This deficiency results in unopposed neutrophil elastase activity, causing early-onset emphysema (often misdiagnosed as COPD) and liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma). Smoking accelerates pulmonary damage. Diagnosis involves serum AAT quantification and genotyping. Management includes smoking cessation, augmentation therapy, and liver/lung transplantation for advanced disease [1][2][16].
Population
Prevalence: 1 in 1,500–3,500 individuals of European ancestry; severe deficiency (Pi*ZZ genotype) affects 70,000–100,000 in the US, with >90% undiagnosed [1][12]
Highest risk: Northern European and Iberian descent; rare in Asian populations [1][7]
Carriers (Pi*MZ/MS) have variable risk of lung/liver disease, especially with smoking [2][12]
Burden
Mortality: 4.7x higher vs general population; pediatric liver disease carries 33.8x mortality risk [9][14]
Morbidity: 32% develop COPD, 21% emphysema, 12% bronchiectasis; 10–15% develop cirrhosis [12][19]
Socioeconomic impact: High healthcare costs, frequent exacerbations requiring hospitalization (~1.5/year), and caregiver stress due to progressive disability [4][5][19]
Therapies
Augmentation therapy: Weekly IV AAT infusions (Prolastin-C®, Aralast NP™, Zemaira®) to slow emphysema progression [3][16][18]
COPD management: Bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, pulmonary rehabilitation, and oxygen therapy [8][18]
Liver transplant: Curative for liver failure; investigational approaches include gene therapy and hepatocyte transplantation [8][16]
Categories: rare genetic diseases, rare hepatic diseases, rare inborn errors of metabolism, rare renal diseases, rare respiratory diseases, rare transplant-related disorders
Drug Discovery Landscape
Drug | Therapy type | Regulator | Orphan designation | Approval | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guide RNA against the human SERPINA1 gene, mRNA encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas9 against the human SERPINA1 gene | gene editing enzymes | EMA | 2026-07-24 | — | Voisin Consulting Life Sciences |
Efdoralprin alfa | proteins | EMA | 2025-12-09 | — | Sanofi B.V. |
RNA editing antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) | oligonucleotides | FDA | 2025-11-19 | — | AIRNA Corporation |
in vivo target-primed reverse transcription genome editing product consisting of two chemically modified RNA drug substances: a messenger RNA, and a template guide RNA formulated in a lipid nanoparticle delivery vehicle comprised of 4 lipids to target the pathogenic PiZ allele in the SERPINA1 gene | RNAs | FDA | 2025-11-06 | — | Tessera Therapeutics, Inc. |
RNA editing antisense oligonucleotide against the Z mutation of the human SERPINA1 mRNA transcript, sodium salt | oligonucleotides | EMA | 2025-08-22 | — | Parexel International (IRL) Limited |
a lipid nanoparticle-based therapy consisting of a guide RNA that targets the SERPINA1-c.1096G>A allele and a messenger RNA that encodes an ABE protein | gene editing enzymes | FDA | 2025-05-28 | — | Beam Therapeutics |
lipid nanoparticles containing base editor CRISPR-Cas9 messenger RNA (mRNA) and a single guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting SERPINA1 gene | gene editing enzymes | FDA | 2025-04-09 | — | Yoltech Therapeutics Co., Ltd |
RNA editing antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) KB100967 directed at the Z mutation of the human SERPINA1 mRNA transcript, encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle | oligonucleotides | FDA | 2025-03-12 | — | Korro Bio, Inc. |
Alvelestat | small molecules | EMA | 2025-01-16 | — | Mereo BioPharma Europe B.V. |
N-[(1R)-1-[(S)-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenyl)hydroxymethyl]butyl]-7-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-indole-4-carboxamide | small molecules | EMA | 2024-07-25 | — | BioMarin International Limited |
oxoindoline carboxamide compound | small molecules | FDA | 2023-12-12 | — | BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. |
A replication-defective, non-integrating herpes simplex virus type 1-based vector engineered to express full-length, functional human alpha-1 antitrypsin | gene therapies | FDA | 2023-09-01 | — | Krystal Biotech, Inc. |
IgG4 Fc linked recombinant human AAT (alpha-1 antitrypsin) | proteins | FDA | 2022-03-02 | — | Sanofi Aventis US. LLC (A Sanofi Company) |
Alvelestat | small molecules | FDA | 2021-10-25 | — | Mereo Biopharma 4 Limited |
CHO cell line produced human Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (CHO-AAT) protein | proteins | FDA | 2020-10-19 | — | Caravella Biopharma SA |
a synthetic double-stranded RNA oligonucleotide conjugated to N-acetyl-D-galactosamine aminosugar residues | oligonucleotides | FDA | 2020-03-16 | — | Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Recombinant human alpha-1 antitrypsin from Oryza sativa | proteins | FDA | 2020-02-19 | — | Wuhan Healthgen Biotechnology Corporation |
Belcesiran | RNAs | EMA | 2019-12-16 | — | Novo Nordisk A/S |
N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated synthetic double-stranded oligomer specific to serpin family A member 1 gene | oligonucleotides | EMA | 2018-07-31 | — | Takeda Pharma A/S |
double stranded oligomer ADS-001 RNA interference-based liver targeted therapeutic | oligonucleotides | FDA | 2018-02-14 | — | Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. |
three-dimensional bioprinted therapeutic liver tissue | cell therapies | FDA | 2017-12-21 | — | Organovo Inc. |
hyaluronic acid | small molecules | FDA | 2017-01-18 | — | Gerard M. Turino, MD |
Double-stranded oligomer specific to the SERPINA1 gene and containing a cholesterol-conjugated acyclic nucleobase analogue [API-AAT (AD00370)] | oligonucleotides | EMA | 2016-01-11 | — | Pharma Gateway AB |
double stranded oligomer AD00370 RNA interference-based liver targeted therapeutic | RNAs | FDA | 2015-06-09 | — | Arrowhead Research Corporation |
Cyclo[L-alanyl-L-seryl-L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-prolyl-L-glutaminyl-L-lysyl-L-tyrosyl-D-prolyl-L-prolyl-(2S)-2-aminodecanoyl-L-alpha-glutamyl-L-threonyl] acetate salt | peptides | EMA | 2013-03-20 | — | Santhera Pharmaceuticals (Deutschland) GmbH |
alpha1 proteinase inhibitor (human) | proteins | FDA | 2010-01-29 | — | Grifols Therapeutics, Inc. |
Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (inhalation use) | proteins | EMA | 2008-06-03 | — | Grifols Deutschland GmbH |
Recombinant adeno-associated viral vector containing human alpha-1 antitrypsin gene | gene therapies | EMA | 2007-03-20 | — | Propharma Group The Netherlands B.V. |
Human alfa-1-proteinase inhibitor | proteins | EMA | 2006-02-16 | — | Octapharma (IP) Limited |
Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human) | proteins | FDA | 2004-12-22 | — | Kamada Ltd. |
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (inhalation use) | proteins | EMA | 2004-11-16 | — | Kamada Ireland Limited |
recombinant adeno-associated virus alpha 1-antitrypsin vector | gene therapies | FDA | 2003-01-27 | — | University of Massachusetts Medical School |
Human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, recombinant | proteins | EMA | 2002-04-30 | — | Aptiv Solutions (UK) Limited |
hyaluronic acid | small molecules | FDA | 2002-03-19 | — | CoTherix |
recombinant human alpha-1 antitrypsin (rAAT) | proteins | FDA | 2001-08-28 | — | AiroMedica LLC |
Human Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (respiratory use) | proteins | EMA | 2001-07-09 | — | CSL Behring GmbH |
Human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, recombinant | proteins | EMA | 2001-05-30 | — | Grifols Deutschland GmbH |
Alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (human) | proteins | FDA | 1999-11-24 | — | CSL Behring L.L.C. |
Transgenic human alpha 1 antitrypsin | gene therapies | FDA | 1999-05-19 | — | PPL Therapeutics (Scotland) Limited |
Recombinant secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor | proteins | FDA | 1991-03-29 | — | Amgen Inc. |
Alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (human) [Prolastin] | proteins | FDA | 1984-12-07 | 1987-12-02 | Bayer Corporation |
Alpha-1-antitrypsin (recombinant DNA Origin) | proteins | FDA | 1984-01-01 | — | Chiron Corporation |