Alpha Cognition Announces Positive Data from Pre-Clinical Studies of ALPHA-0602 (Progranulin) for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
March 29 2022 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
Alpha Cognition Inc. (TSX-V: ACOG) (OTCQB: ACOGF) (“Alpha
Cognition” (ACI), or the “Company”), a biopharmaceutical company
committed to developing novel therapies with the potential to
transform the lives of people with debilitating neurodegenerative
disorders, is pleased to announce positive preclinical data from
their ALPHA-0602 ALS gene therapy program. These data underscore
the robust preclinical evidence supporting Alpha Cognition’s
AAV-based gene therapy approach to treating ALS and highlight the
Company’s strategy to validate these data in planned clinical
trials.
Denis Kay, the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer, commented:
“ALS is a devastating disease with patients in urgent need of
effective therapies. ALPHA-0602 is designed to increase brain
progranulin (PGRN) levels and provide support for the motor system
through the reduction of TDP-43 and FUS pathology, as well as
reducing neuroinflammation and the effects of oxidative stress,
associated with ALS. These benefits have been observed in
preclinical studies and strongly support the continued development
of ALPHA-0602 for the treatment of ALS.”
Highlights of the positive proof of concept pre-clinical results
demonstrated with ALPHA-0602 in vitro in motor neurons and in vivo
in models of ALS, include:
- ALPHA-0602 demonstrated abundant PGRN expression in motor
neurons, suggesting a neurotrophic role for PGRN. ALPHA-0602
further increased PGRN levels and decreased motor neuron cell death
in in vitro models.
- Using an in vivo model of ALS to further assess the
neurotrophic effects of PGRN, ALPHA-0602 reversed the motor neuron
toxicity resulting from both decreased levels of TDP-43 and FUS,
and expression of ALS related toxic forms of these proteins.
- In an ALS transgenic mouse model caused by a toxic form of
TDP-43, ALPHA-0602 administered via adeno-associated virus,
resulted in successful viral transduction of CNS cells and
substantially increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of
PGRN.
- ALPHA-0602 treated TDP-43 transgenic mice persistently gained
weight throughout the 10-week study, in contrast to untreated
transgenic animals who failed to gain weight. Continued weight gain
in the face of a significant and sustained toxic insult, is
indicative of a therapeutic benefit of ALPHA-0602 expression.
“Collectively, these new insights from our preclinical research
further support the development of ALPHA-0602 for the treatment of
the motor neuron degeneration associated with ALS,” said Michael
McFadden, Alpha Cognition’s Chief Executive Officer. “This
represents an important milestone for our company, and we plan to
assess the effect of progranulin expression on the neuropathology
associated with this animal model as a next step in our development
program.”
About Alpha Cognition Inc.
Alpha Cognition Inc. is a clinical stage, biopharmaceutical
company dedicated to developing treatments for patients suffering
from neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), for which there are limited
treatment options.
ALPHA-1062, is a patented new chemical entity being developed as
a new generation acetylcholinesterase inhibitor for the treatment
of Alzheimer's disease, with expected minimal gastrointestinal side
effects. ALPHA-1062's active metabolites is differentiated from
donepezil and rivastigmine in that it binds neuronal nicotinic
receptors, most notably the alpha-7 subtype, which is known to have
a positive effect on cognition. ALPHA-1062 is also being developed
in combination with memantine to treat moderate to severe
Alzheimer's dementia and as an intranasal formulation for traumatic
brain injury.
ALPHA-0602 (Progranulin) is expressed in several cell types in
the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues, it promotes
cell survival, regulates certain inflammatory processes, and plays
a significant role in regulating lysosomal function and microglial
responses to disease. Its intended use for the treatment of
neurodegenerative diseases has been patented by the Company and
ALPHA-0602 has been granted an Orphan Drug Designation for the
treatment of ALS by the FDA.
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Bristol Investor Relations Stefan Eftychiou 905 326 1888 ext 6
stefan@bristolir.com https://www.alphacognition.com/
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