Data supports SM07883 as a potential treatment for chronic tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease
Company expects SM07883 to enter first-in-man studies in fall 2018
SAN DIEGO, July 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Samumed, LLC, presented positive preclinical data on the company’s investigational oral DYRK1a inhibitor, SM07883, being developed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), at the 2018 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®), held from July 22-26 in Chicago.
“The in vitro and in vivo preclinical data presented at AAIC demonstrate that our brain-penetrant oral DYRK1a inhibitor, SM07883, is a potential treatment for diseases caused by abnormal Tau proteins in the brain,” said Osman Kibar, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Samumed. “We look forward to advancing this candidate molecule into the clinic as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.”
Preclinical data were featured in an oral presentation entitled, “Tau Pathology Reduction with SM07883, a Novel, Potent, and Selective Oral DYRK1a Inhibitor – A Potential Therapeutic for Alzheimer’s Disease.” Key highlights included the following:
- SM07883 selectively and potently inhibited DYRK1a kinase activity (which causes biochemical modification of Tau protein structure in the brain known as ‘hyperphosphorylation’).
- In a mouse model of AD, daily treatment with SM07883 for 3 months demonstrated significant (p<0.05) reduction in Tau hyperphosphorylation, the formation of Tau oligomers and aggregation, and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles compared to vehicle. These are key processes in the pathology of chronic tauopathies such as AD in man.
- In the same mouse model of AD, SM07883 treatment was associated with improved body weight over the 3-month treatment period, improved motor function, and reduced morbidity and mortality compared to vehicle.
A copy of the presentation materials can be found in the Publications section of the Samumed website.
About the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC)
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®) is the largest and most influential international meeting dedicated to advancing dementia science. Each year, AAIC convenes the world’s leading basic science and clinical researchers, next generation investigators, clinicians and the care research community to share research discoveries that will lead to methods of prevention and treatment, and improvements in diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a chronic neurodegenerative disease affecting an estimated 5.5 million people in the US and over 46 million people worldwide. The disease is initially characterized by progressive memory loss and then slow progression to severe difficulty in accessing basic brain functions, prompting mental disorders. With the world’s aging population, AD is quickly becoming “The Disease of the Century,” a global epidemic and a socio-economic burden impacting families, social service, and healthcare delivery systems. Currently available therapies treat symptoms, not the disease itself, which is ultimately fatal.
About Samumed and SM07883
SM07883 is an oral small molecule dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase-1A (DYRK1a) inhibitor being developed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Preclinical data suggested that compared to controls, SM07883 reduced Tau hyperphosphorylation, the effects of pathological Tau overexpression, and neuroinflammation. Additional information on Samumed’s SM07883 Alzheimer’s disease program can be found here: https://www.samumed.com/pipeline/detail.aspx?id=18
Learn more about Samumed’s technology platform and potential regenerative drug candidates at https://www.samumed.com/pipeline/default.aspx
Corporate Contact:
Erich Horsley
Samumed, LLC
erich@samumed.com
858-365-0200
Investor Contact:
Ashley Robinson
LifeSci Advisors
arr@lifesciadvisors.com
617-535-7742
Media Contact:
Matt Middleman, M.D.
LifeSci Public Relations
matt@lifescipublicrelations.com
646-627-8384