IRLAB Collaborates on IRL757 Development for Apathy Treatment

IRLAB Therapeutics AB, a company pioneering treatments for Parkinson's disease, has entered into a collaboration with the McQuade Center for Strategic Research and Development, LLC (MSRD). This partnership will focus on the development of IRLAB's drug candidate IRL757, aimed at treating apathy in Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions.

The collaboration entails MSRD supporting the exclusive development of IRL757 until the achievement of clinical proof-of-concept. MSRD, known for identifying and nurturing early-stage opportunities that could revolutionize treatments for mental illnesses and renal disorders, will contribute to studies necessary for assessing the safety and efficacy of IRL757. This includes planned clinical studies in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

IRLAB is set to initiate the first Phase I clinical trial for IRL757, with funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Recruitment for this trial is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2024. According to the agreement, IRLAB will receive an initial payment of 3 million USD, with the potential to gain an additional 5.5 million USD upon reaching specific development milestones. MSRD will cover all drug development expenses during the agreement term, excluding the Phase I program costs.

Moreover, the collaboration agreement allows MSRD the option to extend the partnership under certain conditions, which would necessitate negotiating a new agreement. If the collaboration is not extended, MSRD may still be entitled to receive low single-digit royalty payments under certain conditions.

Dr. Robert McQuade, President of MSRD, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing MSRD's commitment to pioneering new treatments for mental health. He highlighted the potential of IRL757 to address unmet needs in treating apathy in neurological disorders. Gunnar Olsson, CEO of IRLAB, echoed these sentiments, noting the value of MSRD and Otsuka's expertise in advancing the development of innovative treatments for neurological diseases.

IRL757 is a promising candidate for treating apathy, a pervasive and debilitating condition affecting over 20 million people in the U.S. and Europe without available treatment options. In Parkinson’s disease, apathy prevalence is estimated at 20-70 percent, affecting between 1.1 to 4 million patients across major markets. Similarly, apathy impacts 43-59 percent of Alzheimer's patients, translating to 4.9 to 6.7 million individuals in key global markets.

IRL757 has demonstrated potential in preclinical models, with promising results in cognitive function and motivation assessments. Its efficacy is believed to stem from its unique ability to restore disrupted nerve signaling between the cortex and sub-cortical regions, a critical factor underlying apathy in neurological disorders. All necessary preclinical studies for IRL757 have been completed, positioning it for Phase I trials.

IRLAB's broader mission involves developing transformative therapies for all stages of Parkinson's disease. Originating from Nobel Laureate Prof. Arvid Carlsson's research, IRLAB has a robust pipeline that includes Mesdopetam (IRL790) for levodopa-induced dyskinesias and Pirepemat (IRL752) for balance and fall frequency in Parkinson's patients, both progressing through advanced clinical stages. Additionally, IRLAB's preclinical programs, supported by their proprietary Integrative Screening Process (ISP) platform, continue to advance. Based in Sweden, IRLAB is publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm.