Neurimmune and TVM Capital Life Science Announce the Initiation of AL-S Pharma’s Phase 1 Study of AP-101 for the Treatment of ALS
Schlieren, Switzerland – October 16, 2019 – AL-S Pharma AG, a biotech company jointly founded and financed by Neurimmune and TVM Capital Life Science, announced today enrollment of the first patient in a multicenter Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate AP-101 in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). AP-101 is a human antibody directed against misfolded superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). The antibody has been discovered by translating genetic information of human memory B cells through Neurimmune’s Reverse Translational MedicineTM technology.
“Promising preclinical data with the antibody warrant clinical development of AP-101, and we hope to provide therapeutic benefit to patients suffering from ALS,” said Michael Salzmann, AL-S Pharma’s CEO and Neurimmune’s COO. He added: “We highly value our unique partnership with TVM Capital Life Science and Eli Lilly’s Chorus. This collaboration allows us to leverage significant clinical development know-how as well as venture capital expertise to develop our promising molecule.”
AP-101 has Orphan Drug Designation from FDA, EMA and Swissmedic. In the initiated study, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of AP-101 will be assessed in patients with ALS.
Dr. Angela Genge, Director of the Clinical Research Unit at McGill University in Montreal, and AL-S Pharma’s Global PI & Head of the Clinical Advisory Board, said: “The science behind AP-101 is very intriguing and we are excited to see AP-101 advance to the clinic. Our goal is to develop the molecule into a novel therapeutic option for ALS patients.”
In 2016, Neurimmune and TVM Capital Life Science created AL-S Pharma AG to develop AP-101 to human proof-of-concept. AL-S Pharma engages with Chorus, an autonomous unit of Eli Lilly and Company, to execute on an innovative clinical plan in collaboration with an international network of ALS experts.
Hubert Birner, Managing Partner at TVM Capital Life Science and Chairman of the Board of AL-S Pharma said: “We are very thankful for the work accomplished by the AL-S Pharma executive management and the Chorus team, as well as to our partner Neurimmune and our ALS experts at the Montreal Neurological Institute led by Dr. Angela Genge and Prof. Guy Rouleau.”