BOTHELL, Wash. - Athira Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHA), a biopharmaceutical company at the late clinical stage, has presented new data at the AD/PD™ 2024 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related disorders, supporting the therapeutic potential of its investigational small molecule, fosgonimeton.
The conference, which took place in Lisbon, Portugal from March 5 to March 9, included presentations on clinical and preclinical findings related to fosgonimeton's impact on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Fosgonimeton is designed to modulate the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) system, which is believed to activate neuroprotective pathways in the central nervous system. The molecule has been evaluated in the SHAPE Phase 2 clinical trial, which did not meet its primary endpoint when compared with placebo, but did suggest a favorable safety and tolerability profile. Additionally, the trial indicated pro-cognitive effects in the 40 mg dose group, marking the first time fosgonimeton's impact on cognitive measures has been assessed in these specific diseases.
The SHAPE trial was concluded early with 28 participants due to study design limitations and a strategic focus on the LIFT-AD trial, which is assessing fosgonimeton for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, with results expected in the latter half of 2024.
In addition to the clinical findings, preclinical data presented at the conference highlighted fosgonimeton's neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease models. In vitro studies demonstrated its ability to counteract neurodegenerative hallmarks such as tau pathology and mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer’s models. For Parkinson’s disease, fosgonimeton showed promise in mitigating pathological alterations related to α-synuclein toxicity and improving motor function in an aged mouse model.
Athira Pharma continues to explore fosgonimeton as a potential therapeutic option for a range of neurodegenerative diseases. The recent findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that positive modulation of the neurotrophic HGF system could be beneficial in treating these conditions.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Athira Pharma, Inc.
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