Alzprotect Reports Positive Phase 2a Extension Results for PSP

Alzprotect, a biopharmaceutical company based in Lille, France, recently completed the open-label extension (OLE) phase of its Phase 2a clinical trial for AZP2006 (ezeprogind®), a treatment designed for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). The data from this 6-month extension phase indicate that AZP2006 shows promise in slowing or stabilizing the progression of PSP, particularly when treatment is initiated early in the disease.

The key findings from the study are noteworthy. Patients who were treated with AZP2006 during the initial 3-month Phase 2a trial displayed early signs of delayed disease progression when compared to those who received a placebo. This trend continued into the OLE phase, lasting six months, where patients who began treatment early and remained on AZP2006 showed significant stabilization of PSP symptoms. This group of patients outperformed those who started on a placebo and later transitioned to AZP2006 during the extension phase.

Interestingly, even patients who initially received a placebo during the Phase 2a trial experienced a stabilization of their condition once they began AZP2006 treatment in the OLE phase. This suggests that AZP2006 may offer benefits to patients at more advanced stages of PSP, not just those in the early stages.

The overall change in disease progression from the start of Phase 2a to the end of the OLE was more pronounced in patients who were initially on placebo, highlighting the potential of AZP2006. Importantly, no significant safety issues were reported during the OLE phase, supporting the long-term safety of this treatment.

A more precise symptom-tracking tool, PSPRS-10, was employed in addition to PSPRS-28 to assess PSP symptoms. This tool confirmed the stabilization of disease progression in patients who had been on the active treatment during the initial trial phase.

These findings emphasize the critical role of early intervention in managing PSP with AZP2006. The observed stabilization in patients treated early, along with benefits in late-stage patients, underscores the potential of AZP2006 as an effective treatment for PSP.

Alzprotect is dedicated to advancing AZP2006 through continued clinical development with the aim of providing a new therapeutic option for PSP patients. Dr. Artin Karapet, Chief Medical Officer, remarked that the positive outcomes from the open-label extension phase represent a significant milestone for PSP patients and the broader community. He emphasized that these results highlight the potential of AZP2006 to stabilize disease progression and provide benefits even for patients in advanced stages of PSP. Dr. Karapet believes that early and continuous treatment could be crucial in slowing the progression of PSP, offering renewed hope to patients.

Phil Verwaerde, Chief Executive Officer, echoed these sentiments, noting that the stabilization observed in advanced-stage patients supports the potential of AZP2006, particularly with early treatment initiation. He affirmed the company's commitment to progressing this therapy to improve outcomes for PSP patients.

AZP2006 functions through a unique mechanism of action that differentiates it from existing treatments. It targets the root causes of neurodegeneration by stimulating lysosome homeostasis, a vital process for maintaining brain function. This is achieved through the binding and facilitation of the entry of the Prosaposin-Progranulin complex into neurons.

Alzprotect remains focused on further clinical development of AZP2006, aiming to offer a promising therapeutic option for individuals affected by the debilitating condition of PSP.