Vigil Presents Poster on Impacts of Misdiagnosis and Genetic Testing on Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia (ALSP) Patient Journey at ACTRIMS 2024
01 March 2024 - 8:05AM
Vigil Neuroscience, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIGL), a clinical-stage
biotechnology company committed to harnessing the power of
microglia for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, today
presented a poster detailing the impact of misdiagnosis and the
importance of genetic testing at the 2024 ACTRIMS Forum being held
in West Palm Beach, Florida, from February 29 – March 2.
The poster outlines a systematic literature review of ALSP
clinical features, results from a survey circulated to the ALSP
community, and data gathered from a structured patient journey
workshop which included perspectives on barriers to genetic testing
and the impact of misdiagnosis.
“We continue to hear from members of the ALSP community that the
path to an accurate diagnosis can be difficult, indirect, and time
consuming. As with many rare diseases, the misdiagnosis of ALSP can
be a significant and persistent challenge to overcome. Genetic
testing allows those affected to not only understand their symptoms
and disease, but to make informed decisions for themselves and
their loved ones,” said Ivana Magovčević-Liebisch, Ph.D., J.D.,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Vigil. “Our ongoing
collaboration with the ALSP community has allowed us to make
incredible strides in both our reach and research – leading to our
no-cost genetic testing and counseling program ALSPAware and our
clinical progress with iluzanebart. By understanding and
documenting the unique aspects of the ALSP patient journey, we hope
to provide answers, resources, and support to those impacted by
ALSP.”
This retrospective analysis revealed that only 24.7 percent of
these patients received an accurate initial diagnosis of ALSP, and
multiple sclerosis (MS) was one of the most common misdiagnoses.
ALSP and MS are both neurodegenerative diseases that may initially
present with similar motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms. However,
the combination of white matter abnormalities, rapidly progressive
behavioral, cognitive, or motor dysfunction symptoms, and/or family
history of a neurodegenerative disease support the utility of
genetic testing for ALSP.
Vigil’s research revealed that the most prominent barriers to
genetic testing include uncertainties around how to pursue testing,
fear of results, potential financial impact, and challenges with
managing care. It also showed that when considering genetic
testing, access to approved treatments may be a motivator for
patients, family members, and clinicians.
Methodology:
- A systematic
literature review of ALSP clinical features was conducted with
published case studies from 1980–2022.
- A structured
patient journey workshop was hosted as a means of better
understanding life with ALSP, including the impact of misdiagnosis
and barriers to genetic testing.
- To further
understand behaviors and attitudes towards genetic testing for
ALSP, an online survey was circulated to the ALSP community, which
yielded responses from healthcare providers and individuals with
CSF1R mutations and/or family members of those with CSF1R
mutations.
Poster Details:
Title: Clinical Overlap of Adult-Onset
Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia (ALSP)
and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Impact of Misdiagnosis and Genetic
Testing on the ALSP Patient Journey
Date and Time: Thursday, February 29 at 6:00 pm
ET
Poster Session: Poster Session 1
Poster Number: P126
The poster can be accessed on the Publications page on the
Company’s website.
About Vigil Neuroscience
Vigil Neuroscience is a clinical-stage
biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for both
rare and common neurodegenerative diseases by restoring the
vigilance of microglia, the sentinel immune cells of the brain.
Vigil is utilizing the tools of modern neuroscience drug
development across multiple therapeutic modalities in its efforts
to develop precision-based therapies to improve the lives of
patients and their families. Iluzanebart, Vigil’s lead clinical
candidate, is a fully human monoclonal antibody agonist targeting
human triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) in
people with adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids
and pigmented glia (ALSP), a rare and fatal neurodegenerative
disease. Vigil is also developing VG-3927, a novel small molecule
TREM2 agonist, to treat common neurodegenerative diseases
associated with microglial dysfunction, with an initial focus on
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in genetically defined subpopulations.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain disclosures
that contain “forward-looking statements” of Vigil Neuroscience
(“Vigil” or the “Company”) that are made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including,
without limitation, express or implied statements regarding: the
extent to which patient engagement, genetic testing and ALSPAware
contribute to our ability to develop answers, resources and
otherwise support those impacted by ALSP and the extent which such
information will help advance our product candidates, including
VGL101. Forward-looking statements are based on Vigil’s current
expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and
assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause
actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, risks and
uncertainties related to uncertainties inherent in the
identification and development of product candidates, including the
conduct of research activities and the conduct of clinical trials;
uncertainties as to the availability and timing of results and data
from clinical trials; whether results from preclinical studies and
clinical trials will be predictive of the results of later
preclinical studies and clinical trials; as well as the risks and
uncertainties identified in the Company’s filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Vigil’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
2023 and in any subsequent filings Vigil makes with the SEC.
Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made
as of this date, and Vigil undertakes no duty to update such
information except as required under applicable law. Readers should
not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate
after its publication date.
Internet Posting of
Information
Vigil Neuroscience routinely posts information
that may be important to investors in the 'Investors' section of
its website at https://www.vigilneuro.com. The company encourages
investors and potential investors to consult our website regularly
for important information about Vigil Neuroscience.
Investor Contact:
Leah Gibson Vice President, Investor Relations
& Corporate Communications Vigil Neuroscience, Inc.
lgibson@vigilneuro.com
Media Contact: Megan McGrath
MacDougall Advisors mmcgrath@macdougall.bio
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