Athira Pharma Announces Publication in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Highlighting Need for Novel Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment Approaches and Potential of Enhancing HGF/MET Pathway
01 February 2023 - 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 a review
paper highlighting the need for novel treatment approaches to
address Alzheimer’s disease and the therapeutic potential of
fosgonimeton, one of the Company’s novel small molecule positive
modulators of the HGF/MET system. The review article titled, “The
Case for a Novel Therapeutic Approach to Dementia: Small Molecule
Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF/MET) Positive Modulators,” was
published online in the peer-reviewed journal, Journal of
Alzheimer’s Disease.
“The lack of therapeutic options for patients suffering from
Alzheimer’s disease results in significant economic and societal
burdens,” said Hans Moebius, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of
Athira. “In this publication, we review the limitations of the
current drug development approaches and discuss the need for
additional research efforts that consider the complex AD
pathophysiology and incorporate novel study design elements. Taken
together, these factors support the advancement of innovative
treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease such as Athira’s novel,
small molecule positive modulators of the HGF/MET neurotrophic
system.”
In the publication, study authors noted the urgent need to
expand the scope of research beyond the “classic hallmarks” of AD,
such as amyloid-β and tau pathologies, and the growing need for
novel approaches to clinical trial design, including consideration
of recent insights such as proteomics to provide a broader
characterization of disease processes. The review also highlights
the therapeutic potential of enhancing the activity of the HGF/MET
neurotrophic system and provides a summary of the promising
preclinical and clinical findings to date with fosgonimeton, a
small molecule positive modulator of HGF/MET.
“Our preclinical and clinical findings to date support the
potential of positive modulation of HGF/MET by fosgonimeton to
address factors contributing to neurodegeneration and the resulting
loss of cognition and independence,” said Kevin Church, Ph.D.,
Chief Scientific Officer of Athira. “This highly specific yet
multi-modal intervention may offer a differentiated approach for
the clinical development of much needed, innovative therapeutics
for Alzheimer’s disease.”
Athira is currently evaluating fosgonimeton in the Phase 2/3
LIFT-AD study for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The company
expects to complete enrollment of the LIFT-AD study in mid-2023 and
to report topline data in early 2024.
The article is available on the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
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 of 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 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: product
candidates as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , and other neurodegenerative
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,” “suggest,” “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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