Alector Announces First Patient Dosed in PROGRESS-AD Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AL101/GSK4527226 in Patients with Early Alzheimer’s Disease
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The initiation of the PROGRESS-AD Phase 2 clinical trial for AL101 is a pivotal step in the development of new therapeutic options for Alzheimer's disease, a condition with a significant unmet need. The trial's design, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, is the gold standard for determining a drug's efficacy and safety. The use of the CDR-SB as a primary endpoint is a robust choice given its widespread acceptance as a sensitive measure of disease progression in Alzheimer's. The dose-dependent increase in progranulin levels observed in the Phase 1 study of AL101 suggests a promising pharmacodynamic response, which is critical for the potential modulation of disease pathways in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
From a medical research perspective, the unique mechanism of action of AL101, targeting the sortilin receptor to increase progranulin levels, represents a novel approach compared to existing treatments. Given that genetic studies have linked progranulin to neurodegenerative diseases, the progress of AL101 through clinical trials could be a significant development. It is important to note, however, that the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 is a critical hurdle where many compounds fail to demonstrate sufficient efficacy or an acceptable safety profile. Thus, the results of this trial will be highly anticipated by the medical community.
The partnership between Alector and GSK in co-developing and potentially co-commercializing AL101 has strategic implications for both companies' portfolios in the neurodegenerative disease market. Investors should note that the addressable market for Alzheimer's treatments is substantial, given the lack of curative therapies and the growing prevalence of the disease due to an aging population. The progression to a Phase 2 trial signifies that AL101 has a potential to reach later-stage development, which could impact the companies' stock performance positively if the results are favorable.
However, the high risk associated with Alzheimer's drug development, evidenced by numerous past failures, should be considered when evaluating the potential financial impact. Success in the trial could lead to significant value creation, given the demand for effective Alzheimer's treatments, while failure could have a detrimental effect on the companies' valuation. Close monitoring of the trial's interim results and eventual outcomes will be crucial for stakeholders.
The neurodegenerative disease therapeutic market is intensely competitive and rapidly evolving. The current landscape is characterized by a high demand for innovative treatments, with Alzheimer's disease representing a major segment. Alector's strategic collaboration with GSK to develop AL101 places it among the key players to watch in this space. The successful development of AL101 could disrupt the market by providing a new mechanism of action for treatment.
Understanding patient and clinician perspectives on treatment efficacy and safety is essential for market adoption. Should AL101 prove to be effective, its market penetration will depend on these perceptions, as well as on pricing, reimbursement policies and the ability of Alector and GSK to effectively market the drug. Long-term, the impact on the market could be transformative, particularly if AL101's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties offer advantages over existing therapies.
The trial, being conducted in partnership with GSK, is expected to enroll approximately 282 patients globally
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alector, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALEC) and GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that the first patient has been dosed in PROGRESS-AD, the global Phase 2 clinical trial of AL101/GSK4527226 in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to AD. AL101 is an investigational human monoclonal antibody designed to block and downregulate the sortilin receptor to elevate the level of progranulin in the brain in a manner similar to investigational latozinemab but with different pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties. Alector and GSK are co-developing and will be co-commercializing AL101 for the potential treatment of more prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, including AD and Parkinson’s disease.
“In partnership with GSK, we are delighted to announce the dosing of the first patient in PROGRESS-AD, the Phase 2 trial of AL101 for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease, which remains a high unmet need,” said Arnon Rosenthal, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alector. “Modest reduction in the levels of progranulin due to genetic mutations has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, an elevation of progranulin was shown to be protective in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. This provides a genetic and biological rationale for considering the investigational testing of AL101 in Alzheimer’s disease. To date, AL101 has been shown to be generally well tolerated and elevated progranulin levels in healthy volunteers. We look forward to continuing the development of AL101 in this Phase 2 trial with our partner GSK who is operationalizing the trial. AL101 is an exciting addition to our expanding portfolio of investigational dementia therapies, which includes the TREM2-activating antibody AL002, currently in the final stages of a Phase 2 trial in Alzheimer’s disease, and latozinemab, a progranulin-elevating antibody, advancing through the final stages of a pivotal Phase 3 trial in frontotemporal dementia due to a progranulin gene mutation.”
PROGRESS-AD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of AL101 enrolling approximately 282 patients with early Alzheimer’s disease at multiple sites globally. The 76-week study is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of two dose levels of AL101 compared to placebo. Participants will be randomized to one of three treatment groups, receiving AL101 or placebo intravenously. The primary endpoint of the study is disease progression as measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR®-SB). The CDR-SB is a validated instrument that tracks the progression of cognitive impairments in various categories. The trial also employs other clinical and functional outcome assessments.
The Phase 1 study of AL101 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 88 healthy volunteers who received either single or multiple doses of AL101 administered intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SC). The study found that AL101 was generally well tolerated and increased progranulin (PGRN) levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a dose-dependent manner. The study results demonstrated that the PK and PD profile supported the progression to Phase 2 clinical trials for more prevalent neurodegenerative conditions, such as AD and Parkinson’s disease.
Additional information about PROGRESS-AD (NCT06079190) may be found at ClinicalTrials.gov.
About AL101
AL101 is an investigational human monoclonal antibody designed to elevate the level of progranulin, a regulator of immune activity in the brain with genetic links to multiple neurodegenerative disorders. Mutations that moderately reduce the expression levels of progranulin have been shown to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Increased progranulin levels have been demonstrated to be protective for these diseases in animal models.
Collaboration with GSK
In July 2021, Alector entered into a collaboration and license agreement with GSK (NYSE: GSK) to collaborate on the global development and commercialization of progranulin-elevating monoclonal antibodies, including investigational candidates latozinemab and AL101 for a range of neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Under the terms of the GSK agreement, Alector received
About Alector
Alector is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering immuno-neurology, a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Immuno-neurology targets immune dysfunction as a root cause of multiple pathologies that are drivers of degenerative brain disorders. Alector has discovered and is developing a broad portfolio of innate immune system programs, designed to functionally repair genetic mutations that cause dysfunction of the brain’s immune system and enable rejuvenated immune cells to counteract emerging brain pathologies. Alector’s immuno-neurology product candidates are supported by biomarkers and seek to treat indications, including Alzheimer’s disease and genetically defined frontotemporal dementia patient populations. Alector is headquartered in South San Francisco, California. For additional information, please visit www.alector.com.
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our product candidates, our and our investigators' judgments and beliefs regarding the observed safety and efficacy to date of our product candidates, planned and ongoing preclinical studies and clinical trials, expected milestones, including the timing of data from the PROGRESS-AD Phase 2 trial, and expectations of our collaborations. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to risks and uncertainties as set forth in Alector’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2023, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as the other documents Alector files from time to time with the SEC. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the actual results for Alector to differ materially from those contained in Alector’s forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Alector specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.
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