Athira Pharma Presents Preclinical Data Highlighting Fosgonimeton's Neuroprotective Effects Against Amyloid-β-Induced Pathological Alterations And Neuroinflammation In Models Of Alzheimer's Disease

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | November 15, 2023 09:18am

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 (Aβ) and decreased tau phosphorylation. In an Aβ 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 Aβ models of AD.

• In vitro, the active metabolite of fosgonimeton reduced Aβ-induced neurite degeneration, tau phosphorylation, mitochondrial stress, and neuronal death.   
• In an Aβ 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 neurotrophic hepatocyte growth factor system, inhibits LPS-mediated neuroinflammation in BV2 microglia.

Wei Wu, Ph.D., Senior Scientist II, Athira Pharma, presented preclinical research demonstrating the cellular mechanisms by which fosgonimeton induces anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglia cells.

• In vitro, the active metabolite of fosgonimeton inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, reduced mitochondrial dysfunction, and decreased oxidative stress in LPS-stimulated microglia​.
• The anti-inflammatory effects of fosgonimeton demonstrated in these models suggest it may have the potential to help reduce neuroinflammation, a key pathological feature of several neurodegenerative diseases.

The presentations are available on the Scientific Publications & Presentations page of the company's website at www.athira.com.

About Fosgonimeton

Fosgonimeton is a small molecule designed to enhance the activity of the neurotrophic hepatocyte growth factor signaling system, an endogenous repair mechanism for a healthy nervous system. The function of the neurotrophic HGF system may be impaired in conditions of neurodegeneration. Targeting the protection and repair of neuronal networks, fosgonimeton has disease-modifying potential to address a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Dementia with Lewy bodies.

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