UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 23, 2025
PASSAGE BIO, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 001-39231 | 82-2729751 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| One
Commerce Square 2005 Market Street, 39th Floor Philadelphia, PA |
19103 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(267) 866-0311
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock, $0.0001 Par Value Per Share | PASG | The
Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq Capital Market) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company x
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Item 8.01 Other Events
PBFT02 Program Updates
On June 23, 2025, Passage Bio, Inc. (the “Company”) announced updated interim data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 upliFT-D clinical trial evaluating PBFT02 for the treatment frontotemporal dementia with mutations in the GRN gene (“FTD-GRN”) and provided program updates and anticipated milestones:
Updated interim data from FTD-GRN patients treated with PBFT02
Biomarkers
| · | Dose 1 PBFT02 treatment resulted in a robust and durable increase in cerebrospinal fluid (“CSF”) progranulin (“PGRN”) expression through 18 months post-treatment. |
| · | Dose 1 PBFT02 increased CSF PGRN expression in all patients from below 3 ng/mL at baseline to a mean of 12.4 ng/mL at one month (n=7), 19.4 ng/mL at six months (n=6), 25.9 ng/mL at 12 months (n=4), and 23.8 ng/mL at 18 months (n=2). | |
| · | CSF PGRN levels for the first patient treated with Dose 2 PBFT02 (50% of Dose 1) increased substantially from 1.5 ng/mL at baseline to 7.6 ng/mL at one month, approaching the upper limit of a healthy adult reference range. |
| · | Patients who received Dose 1 PBFT02 experienced a reduced annual rate of change of plasma neurofilament (“NfL”) compared to rates observed in natural history studies. |
| · | Plasma NfL levels increased by 4% on average (n=4) at 12 months post-treatment compared to an expected increase of 28% and 29% per year in untreated symptomatic FTD-GRN patients based on analysis of the ALLFTD natural history data (n=11) and published natural history data (n=15), respectively. |
Safety (as of June 15, 2025)
| · | In five of eight patients, all treatment emergent adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. | |
| · | In three of eight patients, a total of four serious adverse events (“SAEs”) were observed. As previously disclosed, Patients 1 and 7 experienced a total of three asymptomatic SAEs: venous sinus thrombosis (n=2) and hepatotoxicity. The first Dose 2 patient (Patient 8) experienced the SAE of pulmonary embolism in the setting of a concurrent systemic infection six weeks after receiving PBFT02. The patient responded to treatment with anticoagulants, and the SAE was assessed as possibly related to treatment. | |
| · | No evidence of dorsal root ganglion toxicity, as measured by nerve conduction studies, and no complications during intra cisterna magna administration were observed across any of the eight treated patients. |
Program Next Steps
The Company plans to amend the upliFT-D clinical trial protocol to introduce a short course of low dose prophylactic anticoagulation, a decision supported by study investigators and the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (“IDMC”). The IDMC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration agreed that dosing of Patient 9, who previously enrolled in the study, may proceed with additional safety monitoring in place prior to amendment completion. Patient 9 will complete Cohort 2, and subsequent patients will be treated as part of Cohort 3, which is now expected to consist of five to 10 patients. Upon review and acceptance of the amended protocol, the Company plans to begin enrollment in Cohort 3 (FTD-GRN) and Cohort 4 (FTD-C9orf72).
Anticipated Upcoming Milestones
| · | Intend to submit upliFT-D protocol amendment to health authorities in July 2025. |
| · | Plan to seek regulatory feedback on suspension-based manufacturing process comparability in the second half of 2025. |
| · | Expect to report updated interim safety and biomarker data from Dose 2 in the first half of 2026. |
| · | Plan to seek regulatory feedback on registrational trial design in FTD-GRN in the first half of 2026. |
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 99.1 | Passage Bio, Inc. press release dated June 23, 2025. | |
| 99.2 | Corporate Presentation | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL). |
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to: our expectations about timing
and execution of anticipated milestones, including the progress of clinical studies and the availability of clinical data from such trials;
timing of feedback from regulatory authorities; our expectations about cash runway; and the ability of PBFT02 to treat FTD-GRN
or FTD-C9orf72. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by such words as “aim,” “anticipate,”
“believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,”
“intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “will,”
“would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including: our ability to develop and obtain regulatory approval
for our product candidates; the timing and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials; risks associated with clinical trials,
including our ability to adequately manage clinical activities, unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data or analysis obtained
during clinical trials, regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail to approve or may delay
approval of our drug candidates; the occurrence of adverse safety events; the risk that positive results in a preclinical study or clinical
trial may not be replicated in subsequent trials or success in early stage clinical trials may not be predictive of results in later stage
clinical trials; failure to protect and enforce our intellectual property, and other proprietary rights; our dependence on collaborators
and other third parties for the development and manufacture of product candidates and other aspects of our business, which are outside
of our full control; risks associated with current and potential delays, work stoppages, or supply chain disruptions; and the other risks
and uncertainties that are described in the Risk Factors section in documents the company files from time to time with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other reports as filed with the SEC. Passage Bio undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or
otherwise.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| PASSAGE BIO, INC. | ||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By: | /s/ Kathleen Borthwick |
| Kathleen Borthwick | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
Exhibit 99.1

PASSAGE BIO REPORTS UPDATED INTERIM DATA FROM UPLIFT-D STUDY AND PROVIDES PROGRAM UPDATE
PBFT02 continued to demonstrate robust, durable elevation in CSF PGRN levels and improvement in plasma NfL, a disease progression biomarker, compared to natural history
Dose 2, 50% lower than Dose 1, substantially increased CSF PGRN levels at 30-days, reaching the upper limit of a healthy adult reference range
Plan to amend upliFT-D protocol to include a prophylactic course of low dose anticoagulation and modify inclusion criteria to study patients earlier in disease progression
Remain on track to seek regulatory feedback on FTD-GRN pivotal trial design in 1H 2026
PHILADELPHIA – June 23, 2025 – Passage Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: PASG), a clinical stage genetic medicines company focused on improving the lives of patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today reported updated data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 upliFT-D clinical trial evaluating PBFT02 for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with granulin (GRN) mutations and provided program updates and anticipated milestones.
“We are pleased to share updated data highlighting the promise of PBFT02 for the frontotemporal dementia community. These data continue to demonstrate the ability of our investigational, one-time gene therapy to elevate progranulin, the deficient protein in FTD-GRN, in a robust and durable manner while also reducing the rate of increase of plasma neurofilament levels compared to rates observed in natural history studies,” said Will Chou, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Passage Bio. “In addition, we continue to refine our understanding of the safety profile of PBFT02 and believe that our planned changes to the study protocol will further optimize the benefit-risk profile of the program. We remain on track to engage with regulatory authorities on a future registrational trial design in the first half of 2026.”
Updated interim data from FTD-GRN patients treated with PBFT02:
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Progranulin (PGRN)
| · | Dose 1 PBFT02 treatment resulted in a robust and durable increase in CSF PGRN expression through 18 months post-treatment. |
| · | Dose 1 PBFT02 increased CSF PGRN expression in all patients from below 3 ng/mL at baseline to a mean of 12.4 ng/mL at one month (n=7), 19.4 ng/mL at six months (n=6), 25.9 ng/mL at 12 months (n=4), and 23.8 ng/mL at 18 months (n=2). |
| · | CSF PGRN levels for the first patient treated with Dose 2 PBFT02 (50% of Dose 1) increased substantially from 1.5 ng/mL at baseline to 7.6 ng/mL at one month, approaching the upper limit of a healthy adult reference range. |
Plasma Neurofilament (NfL)
| · | Patients who received Dose 1 PBFT02 experienced a reduced annual rate of change of plasma NfL compared to rates observed in natural history studies. |
| · | Plasma NfL levels increased by 4% on average (n=4) at 12 months post-treatment compared to an expected increase of 28% and 29% per year in untreated symptomatic FTD-GRN patients based on analysis of the ALLFTD natural history data (n=11) and published natural history data (n=15)1, respectively. |
Safety (as of June 15, 2025)
| · | In five of eight patients, all treatment emergent adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. |
| · | Three of eight patients experienced a total of four serious adverse events (SAEs). As previously disclosed, Patients 1 and 7 experienced a total of three asymptomatic SAEs: venous sinus thrombosis (n=2) and hepatotoxicity. The first Dose 2 patient (Patient 8) experienced the SAE of pulmonary embolism in the setting of a concurrent systemic infection six weeks after receiving PBFT02. The patient responded to treatment with anticoagulants, and the SAE was assessed as possibly related to treatment. | |
| · | No evidence of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) toxicity, as measured by nerve conduction studies, and no complications during intra cisterna magna (ICM) administration were observed across any of the eight treated patients. |
Study Next Steps
The company plans to amend the upliFT-D clinical trial protocol to introduce a short course of low dose prophylactic anticoagulation, a decision supported by study investigators and the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC). The IDMC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration agreed that dosing of Patient 9, who previously enrolled in the study, may proceed with additional safety monitoring in place prior to amendment completion. Patient 9 will complete Cohort 2, and subsequent patients will be treated as part of Cohort 3, which is now expected to consist of five to 10 patients.
In addition, the company intends to amend study inclusion criteria to allow for enrollment of patients who are prodromal or have mild cognitive impairment and exclude patients who are more severely progressed. The company plans to submit the amended protocol to health authorities in early July. Upon review and acceptance of the amended protocol, the company plans to begin enrollment in Cohort 3 (FTD-GRN) and Cohort 4 (FTD-C9orf72).
Anticipated Milestones:
| · | Submit upliFT-D protocol amendment to health authorities in July 2025 |
| · | Seek regulatory feedback on suspension-based manufacturing process comparability in 2H 2025 |
| · | Report updated interim safety and biomarker data from Dose 2 in 1H 2026 |
| · | Seek regulatory feedback on registrational trial design in FTD-GRN in 1H 2026 |

About upliFT-D (NCT04747431)
upliFT-D is a Phase 1/2 global, multi-center, open-label clinical trial of PBFT02 administered by single injection into the cisterna magna in patients aged 35 to 75 years with FTD-GRN or FTD-C9orf72. The clinical trial will sequentially enroll three FTD-GRN cohorts and two FTD-C9orf72 cohorts. Enrollment is currently ongoing. The primary endpoint of the clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of PBFT02. Secondary endpoints include disease biomarkers and clinical outcome measures. upliFT-D is a two-year clinical trial with a three-year safety extension.
Passage Bio is pursuing several initiatives to support clinical trial recruitment and enrollment, including a collaborative partnership with InformedDNA to provide no-cost genetic counseling and testing for adults who have been diagnosed by their physicians with FTD. More information about upliFT-D can be found here.
About PBFT02
PBFT02 is a gene replacement therapy that utilizes an AAV1 viral vector to deliver, through ICM administration, a functional GRN gene that encodes PGRN. This vector construct and delivery approach aim to elevate PGRN levels in the central nervous system to alter the course of neurodegenerative diseases. Interim clinical data from the upliFT-D Phase 1/2 study in FTD-GRN participants shows that ICM administration of PBFT02 resulted in robust PGRN elevations in the CSF.
The potential clinical benefit of PBFT02 is supported by extensive preclinical studies. In non-human primates, a single ICM administration of PBFT02 led to broad vector distribution throughout the CNS, and robust, dose-dependent elevations in PGRN levels in CSF. An NHP study also demonstrated that AAV1 was particularly proficient at transducing ependymal cells. In a murine FTD model, PBFT02 administration improved lysosomal function and reduced neuroinflammation.
About Passage Bio
Passage Bio (Nasdaq: PASG) is a clinical stage genetic medicines company on a mission to improve the lives of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Our primary focus is the development and advancement of cutting-edge, one-time therapies designed to target the underlying pathology of these conditions. Passage Bio’s lead product candidate, PBFT02, seeks to treat neurodegenerative conditions, including frontotemporal dementia, by elevating progranulin levels to restore lysosomal function and slow disease progression.
To learn more about Passage Bio and our steadfast commitment to protecting patients and families against loss in neurodegenerative conditions, please visit: passagebio.com.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to: our expectations about timing and
execution of anticipated milestones, including the progress of clinical studies and the availability of clinical data from such trials;
timing of feedback from regulatory authorities; our expectations about cash runway; and the ability of PBFT02 to treat FTD-GRN or
FTD-C9orf72. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by such words as “aim,” “anticipate,”
“believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,”
“intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “will,”
“would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including: our ability to develop and obtain regulatory
approval for our product candidates; the timing and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials; risks associated with clinical
trials, including our ability to adequately manage clinical activities, unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data or analysis
obtained during clinical trials, regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail to approve
or may delay approval of our drug candidates; the occurrence of adverse safety events; the risk that positive results in a preclinical
study or clinical trial may not be replicated in subsequent trials or success in early stage clinical trials may not be predictive of
results in later stage clinical trials; failure to protect and enforce our intellectual property, and other proprietary rights; our dependence
on collaborators and other third parties for the development and manufacture of product candidates and other aspects of our business,
which are outside of our full control; risks associated with current and potential delays, work stoppages, or supply chain disruptions;
and the other risks and uncertainties that are described in the Risk Factors section in documents the company files from time to time
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other reports as filed with the SEC. Passage Bio undertakes no obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information,
future developments or otherwise.
For further information, please contact:
Investors:
Stuart Henderson
Passage Bio
shenderson@passagebio.com
Media:
Mike Beyer
Sam Brown Inc. Healthcare Communications
312.961.2502
MikeBeyer@sambrown.com
1Saracino et al, J Neurol Neurosurg Psych 2021; 92:1278-1288.
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Nasdaq: PASG © 2025 Passage Bio. All rights reserved. Corporate Presentation June 2025 |
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2 Forward-Looking Statement This presentation includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to: our expectations about timing and execution of anticipated milestones, including the progress of clinical studies and the availability of clinical data from such trials; timing of feedback from regulatory authorities; the potential of our product candidates versus other treatment options and clinical candidates; our expectations about cash runway; and the ability of PBFT02 to treat FTD-GRN or FTD-C9orf72. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by such words as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “will,” “would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including: our ability to develop and obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates; the timing and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials; risks associated with clinical trials, including our ability to adequately manage clinical activities, unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data or analysis obtained during clinical trials, regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail to approve or may delay approval of our drug candidates; the occurrence of adverse safety events; the risk that positive results in a preclinical study or clinical trial may not be replicated in subsequent trials or success in early stage clinical trials may not be predictive of results in later stage clinical trials; failure to protect and enforce our intellectual property, and other proprietary rights; our dependence on collaborators and other third parties for the development and manufacture of product candidates and other aspects of our business, which are outside of our full control; risks associated with current and potential delays, work stoppages, or supply chain disruptions; and the other risks and uncertainties that are described in the Risk Factors section in documents the company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other reports as filed with the SEC. Passage Bio undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. |
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3 REDEFINING THE COURSE OF NEURODEGENERATIVE CONDITIONS Advancing potential best-in-class, one-time progranulin raising FTD-GRN gene therapy Established suspension-based PBFT02 manufacturing process to support late-stage development Cash runway expected to the end of 1Q 2027* Exploring benefits of elevated progranulin in multiple adult neurodegenerative diseases * Based on cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2025. |
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4 Validating the Therapeutic Potential of PBFT02 Promising data from initial clinical study of PBFT02 in FTD-GRN Genetic form of FTD caused by GRN mutations, which lead to progranulin (PGRN) deficiency No approved disease-modifying therapies One-time, gene replacement therapy Proprietary AAV1 construct Nonsurgical injection directly to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Durable, elevated CSF PGRN levels* Urgent Patient Need in FTD-GRN Differentiated, Potential Best-in-Class Profile Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designation * Based on interim data. |
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5 Significant Market Opportunity for PBFT02 Across Multiple Neurodegenerative Diseases ~18,000 ~21,000 ~72,600 ~3.9M FTD-GRN1–3 FTD-C9orf722–4 AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) 5–6 ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (GRN SNP)*7–8 * rs5848 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 1. Greaves CV, et al. J Neurol 2019; 266:2075-2086. 2. Galvin JE, et al. Neurology 2017; 89:2049-2056. 3. Onyike CU, et al. Int Rev Psychiatry 2013; 25:130-137. 4. Moore KM, et al. Lancet Neurol 2020; 19: 145–156. 5. Brown et al. Neuroepi 2021; 55:342-353. 6. CDC ALS Registry Dashboard. 7. Sheng J, et al. Gene 2014; 141-145. 8. Alz Assoc. 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimers Dement 2023;19. Estimated Prevalence (US and EU) Current clinical programs |
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6 Anticipated Upcoming Milestones and Data Readouts 2H 2025 1H 2026 Report updated interim safety and biomarker data from Dose 2 Seek regulatory feedback on registrational trial design Submit upliFT-D protocol amendment to health authorities Seek regulatory feedback on suspension-based manufacturing process comparability |
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PBFT02 Frontotemporal Dementia |
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8 FTD: A Devastating Adult Disease OVERVIEW • Fatal adult-onset neurodegenerative disease affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, characterized by a decline in behavior, language and executive function • One of the most common causes of early-onset dementia worldwide, disproportionately affecting individuals aged 40-65 years CLINICAL SYMPTOMS Disease progression is rapid and degenerative, including loss of speech, loss of expression, behavioral changes and immobility On average, people with FTD live 8 years after the onset of symptoms |
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9 Progranulin Deficiency is the Defining Characteristic of FTD-GRN and Leads to Neurodegeneration Progranulin is critical to maintaining CNS cell homeostasis Rhinn H et al. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2022, 43:641-652 |
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10 Elevated PGRN Increases Potential for Improved Cellular Function • Progranulin is a secreted protein that binds to cell membrane receptors to affect multiple intracellular pathways –Major role is regulating intracellular lysosomal activity –Extracellular PGRN is endocytosed via multiple receptors • Driving elevated PGRN levels in the extracellular space increases the amount of PGRN available to enter target CNS cells • Able to leverage cross-correction mechanism: secreted PGRN can be taken up by non-transduced cells Paushter et al. Acta Neuropathol. 2018;136:1-17. Rhinn et al. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2022; 43:641-652. |
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11 Preclinical NHP: AAV1 Achieved the Highest Levels of CSF PGRN • AAV1 resulted in superior CSF hPGRN levels, 5x higher than AAV5 and AAVhu68 (an AAV9 variant) vectors, after ICM administration Rhesus macaques (n=2/gp) ICM-delivered AAV.hPGRN (3.3 x 1011 GC/g brain), day 0 *Size and duration of elevation muted by immune response to human PGRN. Shading: Healthy adult sample range for CSF PGRN, n = 61 (Passage Bio data) CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; GC, genome copies; ICM, intra-cisterna magna; NHP, non-human primate. Reference: Hinderer et al., Ann Clin Trans Neurol. 2020; 7:1843-1853 Human PGRN in NHP CSF Vector Comparison |
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12 Preclinical NHP: ICM Administration of PBFT02 Led to Broad Distribution of Vector Throughout Brain/Spinal Cord Vector Biodistribution in NHPs 90 days post-ICM PBFT02 • Robust, dose-dependent vector delivery to cortical and sub-cortical brain regions affected in FTD • NHP low dose, equivalent to clinical Dose 1 of PBFT02 in upliFT-D study, resulted in ~10⁴ GC/μg DNA in all sampled areas throughout the brain n=3/gp. Data are mean +/- SEM. CBL, cerebellum; Cerv, cervical; DRG, dorsal root ganglion; FCX, frontal cortex; GC, genome copies; Hipp, hippocampus; ICM, intra-cisterna magna; LLoQ, lower limit of quantitation; Lumb, lumbar; OCX, occipital cortex; PCX, parietal cortex; TCX, temporal cortex; Thor, thoracic; TRG, trigeminal root ganglion; Veh, vehicle |
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13 Preclinical Grn–/– Mice: Expression of hPGRN Improved Lysosomal Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation in the Brain Greatest pathological benefit was associated with the highest PGRN levels in the CSF Lipofuscin deposition and microglial activation are hallmark pathologies seen in FTD; Improvements in both measures were seen in cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hippocampus after PBFT02 administration Grn–/– and WT mice (n=14-15/gp) ICV-administered PBFT02 or vehicle (V). Baseline controls were untreated mice on Day 1. Bars: mean +/- SEM. # ## p < 0.01, ### p < 0.005 vs WT control; *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.005 vs Grn-/- + V , one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. Grn, granulin gene; ICV, Intra-cerebroventricular; PGRN, progranulin; WT, wildtype PBFT02 reduced lipofuscin deposition at all doses, suggesting improved lysosomal dysfunction Dose-dependent elevations in CSF PGRN after PBFT02 led to progressive reductions in microglial activation Thalamus Lipofuscin Thalamus CD68 Immunohistochemistry |
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14 TRIAL DESIGN upliFT-D: Global Phase 1/2 Trial with PBFT02 DURATION 2 years; with additional 3 years of follow-up for safety and durability of effect PRIMARY ENDPOINTS Safety and tolerability SECONDARY ENDPOINTS Biomarkers • Progranulin (CSF, plasma) • vMRI • Retinal nerve fiber layer and retinal lipofuscin deposits via OCT • NfL (CSF, plasma) Clinical • CDR + NACC FTLD sum of boxes EXPLORATORY BIOMARKERS • Cathepsin D (CSF) • GFAP (CSF, plasma) • LAMP 1 (CSF) • Lys-GL1 (CSF) COHORT 1 (n=5) Dose 1 COHORT 2 (n=4) Dose 1 / Dose 2 COHORT 3 (n=5-10) COHORT 4 (n=3-5) Dose 2 COHORT 5 (n=3-5) IDMC review Phase Multicenter Open-label Dose exploration study 1/2 Complete Dose 1: 4.5e13 GC Dose 2: 2.2e13 GC FTD-GRN FTD-C9orf72 |
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15 Intra-Cisterna Magna (ICM) Administration • Directly deliver vector into the CSF via a single injection –Allows for broad CNS biodistribution1 –Lower doses compared to IV systemic delivery –Reduced impact of neutralizing antibodies • Brief (<60 min), non-surgical, CT-guided procedure for precise delivery to the cisterna magna Cisterna –Procedure avoids penetration of brain tissue magna 1. Hinderer et. al, Hum Gene Ther. 2018; 29:15-24. |
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16 Key Baseline Demographics for FTD-GRN Participants Dose 1 (n=7); Dose 2 (n=1) (n=8) Mean / % / n Range Age (yrs) 64.4 51-72 Sex M: 50% F: 50% FTD-GRN phenotype (n) bvFTD: 5 PPA: 3 Disease duration at baseline (yrs) 2.9 1 - 5 PGRN, CSF (ng/mL) 2.1 1.5 - 2.9 PGRN, plasma (ng/mL) 36.6 22.4 - 89.0 NfL, plasma (pg/mL) 51.9 12.4 - 111 Clinical Dementia Rating Scale1, Global (%) 1: 50% 2: 50% Clinical Dementia Rating Scale1, Sum of Boxes 10.3 5 - 17 1CDR® +NACC FTLD. bvFTD, behavioral variant; IvPPA, logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia; svPPA, semantic variant PPA; nfvPPA, nonfluent variant PPA. |
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17 upliFT-D: PBFT02 Interim Safety Profile • In 5 of 8 patients, all treatment emergent AEs were mild to moderate in severity • 3 of 8 patients experienced a total of 4 SAEs Dose 1 – Patient 1: asymptomatic venous sinus thrombosis (VST) and hepatotoxicity, leading to a revised immunosuppression regimen in all subsequent patients** – Patient 7: asymptomatic VST, completely resolved prior to day 30 following treatment with anticoagulants. No evidence of hepatotoxicity, immune response or other laboratory abnormalities Dose 2 – Patient 8: pulmonary embolism (PE) in setting of a concurrent systemic infection. PE responded to treatment with anticoagulants • No evidence of DRG toxicity • No complications during ICM administration PBFT02 Interim Safety Highlights* FTD-GRN Patients (Dose 1 n=7; Dose 2 n=1) *Data as of June 15, 2025 **Patient 1 received oral prednisone 60 mg daily through day 60; subsequent patients received a revised immunosuppressive regimen of 1g methylprednisolone IV daily to day 3, followed by oral prednisone 60 mg to day 60, then taper AE, adverse event; DRG, dorsal root ganglion; ICM, intra-cisterna magna; PE, pulmonary thromboembolism; SAE, serious adverse event; VST, venous sinus thrombosis. |
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18 PBFT02 Generated Robust, Durable Increases in CSF PGRN in FTD-GRN Patients 0 10 20 30 40 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 CSF PGRN, ng/mL Time (months) Progranulin, CSF Dose 1 Dose 2 Mean +/- SEM Shading: Healthy adult sample range for CSF PGRN (range: 3.28 – 8.15 ng/mL, mean: 4.76 ng/mL, n = 61) (Passage Bio data) Dose 1: 4.5e13 GC; Dose 2: 2.2e13 GC CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; M, month First Dose 2 patient (Patient 8) increased from 1.5 ng/mL at baseline to 7.6 ng/mL at M1, approaching the upper healthy adult range Healthy adult range Dose 1 N: 7 7 6 4 2 |
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19 Plasma NfL Showed Early Evidence of Improvement in a Disease Progression Biomarker vs. Natural History 29.0% 28.0% 3.7% -15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% % Change Plasma NfL Annual Rate of Change Published NHx (n=15) ALLFTD (n=11) PBFT02 (n=4) Mean +/- SEM PBFT02 patients (n=4): Baseline plasma NfL (neurofilament light chain) range: 39.6 to 45.6 pg/mL. Average time since diagnosis 2.3 years. 1 Published natural history: 15 symptomatic FTD-GRN patients; mean years since diagnosis: 2.9 (Saracino et al, 2021; ). 2 Passage Bio analysis of ALLFTD natural history sample comprised of individuals with a pathogenic GRN mutation and a CDR+NACC FTLD global score between 0.5 and 2, inclusive. 3 van der Ende et al, Lancet Neurol 2019; 18:1103-11. J Neurol Neurosurg Psych 92:1278-1288 • Plasma NfL is the only FTD-GRN disease progression biomarker with longitudinal natural history data available1,3 • PBFT02-treated patients with 12 months follow-up (n=4) had a reduced annual rate of change in plasma NfL compared to published natural history data Natural History upliFT-D 1 2 |
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20 PBFT02 Offers Best-in-Class Therapeutic Potential PBFT02 Product Candidate AAV1 gene therapy delivering GRN Anti-sortilin antibody AAV9 gene therapy delivering GRN Stage of Development Phase 1/2 Phase 3 Phase 1/2 Route of Administration ICM IV ICM Expected Frequency of Administration One Time Monthly One Time CSF PGRN Level at 12m1 26 ng/mL (mean; n=4) ~4-5 ng/mL (n=9)2 ~4-8 ng/mL (n=7 higher dose)3 Durability of CSF PGRN Expression1 Durable at 18 m (n=2) n/a (monthly admin) Declining from 2 to 12m (n=7 higher dose)3 PBFT02 uniquely positioned to offer a one-time therapy capable of achieving highest progranulin levels 1 Clinical evidence based on public disclosure. Results are derived from different clinical trials at different points in time. No head-to-head trials have been conducted among the results shown. Comparing the results from different trials may be unreliable due to different protocol designs, trial design, patient selection and populations, number of patients, trial endpoints, trial objectives and other parameters that may not be the same between trials. 2 Alector 2021 AAIC presentation. 3 Lilly/Prevail AD/PD Mar 2024 presentation and abstract. |
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21 Summary: FTD-GRN SAFETY1 Dose 1 (n=7) & Dose 2 (n=1) •In 5 of 8 patients, all treatment emergent AEs were mild to moderate •3 of 8 patients experienced a total of 4 SAEs •No evidence of clinically significant immune response following introduction of new immunosuppression regimen •No evidence of DRG toxicity •No complications during ICM administration BIOMARKERS •Potential best-in-class PGRN profile at Dose 1 •Robust, consistent elevation of CSF PGRN •Durable response to 18 months •No increase in plasma PGRN levels up to 18 months •Plasma NfL in treated patients showed early evidence of improvement vs. natural history *Data as of June 15, 2025 AE, adverse event: DRG, dorsal root ganglion; ICM, intra-cisterna magna; NfL, neurofilament light chain; SAE, serious adverse event |
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22 Anticipated Program Next Steps • Patient 9 to receive Dose 2 PBFT02 with additional safety monitoring Complete Cohort 2 (n=4) Plan to amend & submit study protocol in July 2025 Enroll patients under amended protocol • Introduce short course of low dose prophylactic anticoagulation • Revise inclusion criteria to allow for enrollment of patients who are prodromal or have mild cognitive impairment and exclude more severely progressed patients • FTD-GRN (Cohort 3) • FTD-C9orf72 (Cohort 4) |
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Looking Ahead |
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24 PBFT02 has Potential to Correct Underlying Pathology in FTD-GRN, FTD-C9orf72 and ALS TDP-43 pathology is a hallmark of multiple neurodegenerative diseases1 • TDP-43 mislocalizes from nucleus to cytoplasm and forms inclusion bodies 1. Rhinn H et al. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2022; 43:641-652 |
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25 TDP-43 pathology due to lysosomal dysfunction (GRN/ TMEM106 double knockout, DKO) reduced by AAV.hPGRN1 Elevated PGRN Ameliorates TDP-43 Pathology in Preclinical Models AAV delivered hPGRN to mouse brain TDP-43 pathology in DKO mice reduced by AAV.hPGRN Elevated PGRN reduced insoluble TDP-43 in mouse spinal cord Elevated PGRN extended survival of TDP-43 mutant mice Elevated PGRN ameliorated TDP-43 pathology and disease course in a preclinical model2 • Elevated PGRN also prevented degeneration of large axon fibers in TDP-43 mice • PGRN neuroprotection from pleiotropic effect, not single pathway 1. Reich et al. Sci Transl Med. 2024; 16(750); 2. Beel et al. Mol Neurodegen. 2018: 13:55.; Laird et al. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13368. DKO, double gene knockout; GRN, granulin gene; PGRN, progranulin; TDP-43, transactive response DNA binding protein 43 kDa † PGRN increased to >2x endogenous levels |
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26 Critical Manufacturing Milestones Achieved to Enable Late-Stage Development Functional Potency Assay Developed assay and reached alignment with FDA on suitability of assay for PBFT02 release Robust Manufacturing Process Completed development of high-productivity, suspension-based manufacturing process Single production lot estimated to yield >1,000 doses1 with >70% full capsids Registrational Study Approach • Seek feedback on registrational strategy in 1H 2026 • Leverage recent GTx precedents for utilizing natural history (NHS) data as external control • Analyze existing FTD-GRN NHS databases with >300 patients 1 Estimated yield based on Dose 2 |
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27 Upcoming Milestones and Corporate Updates PIPELINE • Advancing Huntington’s disease preclinical program BALANCE SHEET • Cash balance of ~$63 million as of 3/31/25* • Cash runway into 1Q 2027 * Based on cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities TIMING MILESTONE July 2025 Submit upliFT-D protocol amendment to health authorities in July 2025 2H 2025 Seek regulatory feedback on suspension-based manufacturing process comparability 1H 2026 Report updated interim safety and biomarker data from Dose 2 in 1H 2026 1H 2026 Seek regulatory feedback on registrational trial design in FTD-GRN in 1H 2026 |
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28 REDEFINING THE COURSE OF NEURODEGENERATIVE CONDITIONS Advancing potential best-in-class, one-time progranulin raising FTD-GRN gene therapy Established suspension-based PBFT02 manufacturing process to support late-stage development Cash runway expected to the end of 1Q 2027* Exploring benefits of elevated progranulin in multiple adult neurodegenerative diseases * Based on cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2025. |
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Thank You passagebio.com | NASDAQ: PASG |
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30 Program Indication US/EU prevalence Discovery Preclinical Phase 1/2 Pivotal PBFT02 Frontotemporal dementia - GRN 18,0001-3 Frontotemporal dementia - C9orf72 21,0002-4 Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 72,6005-6 Alzheimer’s disease with rs5848 SNP 3.9M7-8 Unnamed Huntington’s disease 60,0009 Focused Pipeline Addressing Rare and Prevalent Neurodegenerative Indications 1. Greaves CV, et al. J Neurol 2019; 266:2075-2086. 2. Galvin JE, et al. Neurology 2017; 89:2049-2056. 3. Onyike CU, et al. Int Rev Psychiatry 2013; 25:130-137. 4. Moore KM, et al. Lancet Neurol 2020; 19: 145–156. 5. Brown et al. Neuroepi 2021; 55:342-353. 6. CDC ALS Registry Dashboard. 7. Sheng J, et al. Gene 2014; 141-145. 8. Alz Assoc. 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimers Dement 2023;19. 9. Crowell et al. Neuroepi. 2021; 55:361-368 |
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31 Demonstrated Leadership LEADERSHIP TEAM Deep experience in rare disease, CNS disorders and genetic medicines Eden Fucci SVP Technical Operations BOARD OF DIRECTORS Maxine Gowen, Ph.D. Chairwoman Athena Countouriotis, M.D. Avenzo Therapeutics Derrell Porter, M.D. cTRL Therapeutics Dolan Sondhi, Ph.D. Weill Cornell Medicine Sandip Kapadia Harmony Biosciences Saqib Islam, J.D. SpringWorks Thomas Kassberg Ultragenyx William Chou, M.D. President & Chief Executive Officer Stuart Henderson Chief Business Officer William Chou, M.D. President & Chief Executive Officer Chip Cale In Memoriam Kathleen Borthwick Chief Financial Officer Karl Whitney, Ph.D. SVP Global Regulatory Affairs Sue Browne, Ph.D. Chief Scientific Officer |
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32 GRN rs5848 SNP associated with accelerated disease in FTD-C9orf72 patients Decreased PGRN Associated with Greater Disease Severity in Multiple CNS Conditions GRN rs5848 SNP associated with accelerated disease in FTD-C9orf72 patients 1. van Blitterswijk et al. Mol Neurodegen. 2014; 9:38 AD, Alzheimer’s disease; ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; GRN, granulin gene; PGRN, progranulin; SNP, single nucleotide polymorphism PGRN SNPs are genetic risk factors for CNS diseases • GRN rs5848 SNP results in ~15% reduction in PGRN levels • PGRN SNPs increase risk for, and worsen severity of, FTD/ALS-C9orf72 and AD1 |