ATHA - Athira Pharma Presents Clinical and Preclinical Data Supporting Therapeutic Potential of Fosgonimeton in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases at AD/PD™ 2024 International Conference | Benzinga
Data adds to increasing body of evidence supporting positive modulation of the neurotrophic HGF system as a potential therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies
Results from exploratory SHAPE Phase 2 trial show encouraging safety and pro-cognitive measures with fosgonimeton treatment and underscore confidence in Phase 2/3 LIFT-AD trial with data anticipated in the second half of 2024
BOTHELL, Wash., March 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athira Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATHA), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecules to restore neuronal health and slow neurodegeneration, presented new clinical and preclinical data further highlighting the therapeutic potential of fosgonimeton at the AD/PD™ 2024 International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases and Related Neurological Disorders, being held in Lisbon, Portugal March 5 – 9, 2024.
Fosgonimeton is a potentially first-in-class investigational small molecule designed to positively modulate the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) system, which can activate neuroprotective, neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory pathways in the central nervous system.
"Data presented at AD/PD, in tandem with the existing body of preclinical and clinical evidence, continue to support the potential of targeting the neurotrophic HGF system to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies," said Mark Litton, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Athira. "We believe safety and efficacy outcomes from the exploratory SHAPE Phase 2 clinical trial presented at this year's AD/PD, along with previous clinical data, support the continued development of fosgonimeton. The encouraging pro-cognitive effects observed in the 40 mg dose group, assessed for fosgonimeton for the first time in Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, underscore our confidence in the Phase 2/3 LIFT-AD trial, which is evaluating fosgonimeton at 40 mg as a potential treatment for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, with data expected in the second half of 2024."
Athira presented an expanded dataset from the exploratory SHAPE Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating fosgonimeton in Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies as a follow up from data shared in December 2023. While the primary endpoint was not met by protocoled analysis compared with placebo, as previously disclosed, the data indicated a favorable safety and tolerability profile for fosgonimeton in trial participants. In addition, changes in ADAS-Cog13 observed in the fosgonimeton 40 mg dose arm were suggestive of a pro-cognitive effect, which was assessed for fosgonimeton for the first time in these disease states. These findings support the potential therapeutic benefit of modulating the neurotrophic HGF system with fosgonimeton for neurodegenerative diseases.
"We're pleased to be presenting additional preclinical data highlighting the neuroprotective effects of fosgonimeton in models of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases at AD/PD 2024," said Kevin Church, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Athira. "In Alzheimer's ...