Sebelipase alfa β Complete Research Guide (2026)
Last updated 2026-06-30
TL;DR
Sebelipase alfa (also known as Kanuma) is a peptide catalogued under Enzymes (Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency). Neutral reference entry; EU status: EU-approved prescription medicine.
What is Sebelipase alfa?
Sebelipase alfa (brand name Kanuma) is a recombinant human lysosomal acid lipase given by intravenous infusion as enzyme replacement therapy for lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D), which includes infantile-onset Wolman disease and later-onset cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD).
It is an approved orphan drug (FDA 2015, EMA 2015), not a research chemical or wellness peptide, and it is administered only under specialist supervision.
Evidence includes a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial (ARISE) plus open-label extension and long-term follow-up data in children and adults.
How does Sebelipase alfa work?
Sebelipase alfa supplies a functional copy of lysosomal acid lipase, the enzyme deficient in LAL-D, which hydrolyzes cholesteryl esters and triglycerides inside the lysosome.
Restoring this activity reduces the pathological accumulation of lipids in the liver and other tissues that drives the disease.
What does the research say about Sebelipase alfa?
- In the pivotal ARISE phase 3 randomized controlled trial, sebelipase alfa normalized serum ALT in a significantly greater proportion of patients than placebo at 20 weeks. [1]
- Over 52 weeks of treatment it reduced serum transaminases and liver volume and improved serum lipid profiles in patients with LAL deficiency. [4]
- Long-term treatment in children and adults sustained improvements in liver and lipid parameters beyond the controlled trial period. [3]
Clinical research & studies
The references below are the primary sources cited throughout this guide. Each links directly to PubMed or the regulator. Where evidence is preclinical (animal or in-vitro), that is stated rather than implied.
- [1] A Phase 3 Trial of Sebelipase Alfa in Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency β Burton BK et al., The New England Journal of Medicine 2015. (Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial (ARISE))
- [2] Sebelipase alfa in children and adults with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency: Final results of the ARISE study β Burton BK et al., Journal of Hepatology 2022. (Open-label extension / final trial results)
- [3] Long-Term Sebelipase Alfa Treatment in Children and Adults With Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency β Burton BK et al., Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 2022. (Long-term follow-up)
- [4] Sebelipase alfa over 52 weeks reduces serum transaminases, liver volume and improves serum lipids in patients with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency β Valayannopoulos V et al., Journal of Hepatology 2014. (Open-label clinical study (52 weeks))
- [5] Clinical effect and safety profile of recombinant human lysosomal acid lipase in patients with cholesteryl ester storage disease β Balwani M et al., Hepatology 2013. (Early-phase clinical study)
Dosing context
In studies and labeling, the typical maintenance regimen is 1 mg/kg by intravenous infusion once every other week, with rapidly progressive infantile disease treated with weekly dosing that can be escalated.
This is context only, not a protocol; dosing, infusion rate, and premedication are determined by a treating metabolic specialist.
Side effects & safety profile
Infusion-associated reactions are the most common adverse events and are managed by slowing or interrupting the infusion and premedication.
Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis have occurred, so infusions are given where resuscitation support is available.
Anti-drug (anti-sebelipase) antibodies can develop and are monitored, and enzyme replacement does not reverse established organ damage or address every disease manifestation.
Stacking & combinations
It is a single-agent chronic replacement therapy for a specific enzyme deficiency and is not intended to be combined or stacked with performance or research peptides.
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Frequently asked questions
It is an approved enzyme replacement therapy for lysosomal acid lipase deficiency, covering both infantile Wolman disease and later-onset cholesteryl ester storage disease.
References
- [1] A Phase 3 Trial of Sebelipase Alfa in Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency β Burton BK et al., The New England Journal of Medicine 2015. PMID: 26352813. View sourceStudy: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial (ARISE)Sebelipase alfa normalized ALT and improved lipid and hepatic outcomes versus placebo in LAL deficiency.
- [2] Sebelipase alfa in children and adults with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency: Final results of the ARISE study β Burton BK et al., Journal of Hepatology 2022. PMID: 34774639. View sourceStudy: Open-label extension / final trial resultsLong-term sebelipase alfa maintained improvements in liver enzymes and lipids over the full ARISE study.
- [3] Long-Term Sebelipase Alfa Treatment in Children and Adults With Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency β Burton BK et al., Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 2022. PMID: 35442238. View sourceStudy: Long-term follow-upSustained hepatic and lipid benefits were observed with continued treatment across pediatric and adult patients.
- [4] Sebelipase alfa over 52 weeks reduces serum transaminases, liver volume and improves serum lipids in patients with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency β Valayannopoulos V et al., Journal of Hepatology 2014. PMID: 24993530. View sourceStudy: Open-label clinical study (52 weeks)Treatment reduced transaminases and liver volume and improved lipid profile over one year.
- [5] Clinical effect and safety profile of recombinant human lysosomal acid lipase in patients with cholesteryl ester storage disease β Balwani M et al., Hepatology 2013. PMID: 23348766. View sourceStudy: Early-phase clinical studyRecombinant human LAL lowered transaminases and lipids with an acceptable early safety profile in CESD.