Athira Pharma, Inc. announced the publication of preclinical data supporting the therapeutic potential of fosgonimeton in Alzheimer?s disease. The original research article, ?Fosgonimeton Attenuates Amyloid-Beta Toxicity in Preclinical Models of Alzheimer?s Disease [2],? authored by Reda, S., et al., was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Neurotherapeutics.

Fosgonimeton is a potentially first-in-class, once daily, subcutaneously administered small molecule drug candidate designed to enhance the neurotrophic hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) system, and is in development for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer?s disease. Key findings reported in the study publication regarding fosgonimeton in preclinical models of Alzheimer?s disease include: In primary rat cortical neurons challenged with Aß, fosgonimeton treatment improved neuronal survival, protected neurite networks, and reduced tau hyperphosphorylation following Aß injury. Fosgonimeton attenuated Aß-induced mitochondrial stress and apoptotic signaling.

Fosgonimeton enhanced activation of pro-survival effectors extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT). It also reduced activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3ß), one of the main kinases involved in tau hyperphosphorylation. Fosgonimeton mitigated Aß-induced deficits in Unc-like kinase 1 (ULK1) and Beclin-1 expression, suggesting a potential effect on autophagy.

Fosgonimeton improved cognitive performance in an Aß rat model of Alzheimer?s disease.