ATHA - Athira Pharma Presents Preclinical Data Highlighting Fosgonimeton's Neuroprotective Effects Against Amyloid-?-Induced Pathological Alterations and Neuroinflammation in Models of Alzheimer's Disease | Benzinga
BOTHELL, Wash., Nov. 15, 2023 (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 preclinical data supporting the potential therapeutic benefit of fosgonimeton for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases at the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Annual Meeting 2023, being held in Washington, D.C. from November 11 – 15, 2023. Fosgonimeton is a potentially first-in-class, small-molecule, brain-penetrant positive modulator of the neurotrophic hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) system with the potential to protect and repair neuronal networks.
"We continue to build the body of preclinical evidence supporting the continued development of fosgonimeton to treat AD and other debilitating neurodegenerative diseases," said Kevin Church, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Athira Pharma. "Our latest data demonstrate consistent neuroprotective effects of fosgonimeton and provide insights into the mechanisms by which it preserves neurons from degeneration and reduces neuroinflammation. In vitro, fosgonimeton protected neurons from toxic amyloid-beta (A?) and decreased tau phosphorylation. In an A? model of AD in vivo, fosgonimeton improved cognitive performance and reduced hippocampal neuron loss. These data further support our approach of targeting the neurotrophic HGF system in to treat AD and other neurodegenerative diseases."
Oral Presentation (#NAN076.02): Fosgonimeton, a Small-Molecule Positive Modulator of the Neurotrophic HGF System, Protects Against Amyloid beta-induced Pathological Alterations in Alzheimer's Disease Models In Vitro and In Vivo
Sharay Setti, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Athira Pharma, presented preclinical findings demonstrating fosgonimeton's neurotrophic and neuroprotective activity in A? models of AD.
- In vitro, the active metabolite of fosgonimeton reduced A?-induced neurite degeneration, tau phosphorylation, mitochondrial stress, and neuronal death.
- In an A? mouse model of AD, fosgonimeton improved cognitive performance in both Y-maze and Morris water maze trials, protected hippocampal neurons from degeneration, and promoted cell proliferation in the subgranular zone, showing potential to support adult neurogenesis.
Poster Presentation (#PSTR 203.06): Fosgonimeton, a small-molecule positive modulator of the ...