Athira Pharma Announces Publication of Fosgonimeton Preclinical Results in Neurotherapeutics
21 December 2022 - 11:00PM
Athira Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHA), a late
clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing
small molecules to restore neuronal health and slow
neurodegeneration, today announced the publication of preclinical
data demonstrating the neuroprotective, neurotrophic and
procognitive effects of fosgonimeton (ATH-1017) in preclinical
models. The article titled, “Fosgonimeton, a Novel Positive
Modulator of the HGF/MET System, Promotes Neurotrophic and
Procognitive Effects in Models of Dementia,” was published online
on December 20, 2022 in the peer-reviewed journal,
Neurotherapeutics.
"This publication adds to the growing body of preclinical
evidence demonstrating that enhancing the HGF/MET neurotrophic
system with fosgonimeton may have therapeutic benefit for dementia
and other neurodegenerative diseases,” said Kevin Church, Ph.D.,
Executive Vice President, Research of Athira Pharma. “These data
demonstrate that treatment with fosgonimeton or its active
metabolite, fosgo-AM, protects cortical neurons challenged with
neurotoxic insults that mimic critical aspects of
neurodegeneration. In addition, these data highlight the ability of
fosgonimeton to improve learning and memory in preclinical models
of cognitive impairment.”
In the publication, study authors concluded that treatment with
fosgonimeton or fosgo-AM:
- Promotes the activation of the
HGF/MET system in vitro and stimulates critical neurotrophic and
neuroprotective pathways.
- Enhances synaptogenesis, synaptic
strength, and neurite outgrowth in hippocampal neurons.
- Protects cortical neurons challenged
with neurotoxic insults that contribute to neurodegeneration,
including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress,
neuroinflammation, and excitotoxicity.
- Improves cognitive performance in
models of cognitive deficits, including a scopolamine-induced
amnesia model in rats and in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced
neuroinflammatory model of dementia in mice.
“The data reported in the peer-reviewed publication suggest that
fosgonimeton could protect against several common pathophysiologies
seen in dementia and induce neurotrophic and neuroprotective
effects, which further supports the ongoing clinical development of
fosgonimeton in patients with neurodegenerative disorders,
including Alzheimer’s disease,” said Mark Litton, Ph.D., President
and Chief Executive Officer of Athira Pharma. "These results, in
combination with other recently reported data, strengthen our
confidence in the potential for neuroprotective and
disease-modifying effects of enhancing the HGF/MET neurotrophic
system.”
The article is available on the Neurotherapeutics website and on
the Scientific Publications & Presentations page of the
company’s website at www.athira.com.
About FosgonimetonFosgonimeton is a small
molecule designed to enhance the activity of hepatocyte growth
factor (HGF) and its receptor, MET, an endogenous repair mechanism
for a healthy nervous system. The function of the HGF/MET
neurotrophic system may be impaired in conditions of
neurodegeneration. Targeting the protection and repair of neural
networks, fosgonimeton has disease-modifying potential to address a
broad range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS).
About Athira Pharma, Inc.Athira Pharma, Inc.,
headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, is a late
clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing
small molecules to restore neuronal health and slow
neurodegeneration. Athira aims to provide rapid cognitive
improvement and alter the course of neurological diseases with its
novel mechanism of action. Athira is currently advancing its
pipeline therapeutic candidates targeting the HGF/MET neurotrophic
system for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, Dementia with Lewy
bodies and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). For more
information, visit www.athira.com. You can also follow Athira
on Facebook, LinkedIn and @athirapharma
on Twitter and Instagram.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis communication
contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not based on
historical fact and include statements regarding a product
candidate as a potential treatment for neurological diseases;
Athira’s platform technology and potential therapies; future
development plans; clinical and regulatory objectives and the
timing thereof; expectations regarding the potential efficacy and
commercial potential of Athira’s product candidates; and
Athira’s ability to advance its product candidates into later
stages of development. Forward-looking statements generally include
statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer
to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,”
“will,” “should,” “on track,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “believe,”
“intend,” “pursue,” “continue,” “potential” and other similar
expressions, among others. Any forward-looking statements are based
on management’s current expectations of future events and are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set
forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the data for our
product candidates from our preclinical and clinical trials not
supporting the safety, efficacy and tolerability of our product
candidates; cessation or delay of Athira’s development of product
candidates may occur; future potential regulatory milestones for
product candidates, including those related to current and planned
clinical studies, may be insufficient to support regulatory
submissions or approval; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
Athira’s business, research and clinical development plans and
timelines, and the regulatory process for Athira product
candidates; Athira may not be able to recruit sufficient patients
for its clinical trials; the outcome of legal proceedings that
have been or may in the future be instituted against us and certain
of our directors and officers; clinical trials may not demonstrate
safety and efficacy of any of Athira’s product candidates; possible
negative interactions of Athira's product candidates with other
treatments; Athira’s assumptions regarding the sufficiency of
its cash, cash equivalents and investments to fund its planned
operations may be incorrect; adverse conditions in the general
domestic and global economic markets; the impact of competition;
regulatory agencies may be delayed in reviewing, commenting on or
approving any of Athira’s clinical development plans as a result of
the COVID-19 pandemic, which could further delay development
timelines; the impact of expanded product development and clinical
activities on operating expenses; the impact of new or changing
laws and regulations; as well as the other risks detailed in
Athira’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and
Athira undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking
statements. Athira may not actually achieve the plans, intentions,
or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements, and
you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking
statements.
Investor & Media ContactJulie RathbunAthira
PharmaJulie.rathbun@athira.com206-769-9219
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