Alector Initiates Phase 1 Trial of AL002 for the Treatment of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

November 15, 2018 |

3 min read

First Clinical Trial of a Program Designed to Address Multiple Brain Pathologies in Alzheimer’s Disease by Reversing Immune Dysfunction

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alector, a privately held biotechnology company pioneering immuno-neurology, a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegeneration, today announced the initiation of a first-in-human Phase 1 trial called the INVOKE study, investigating the company’s second product candidate, AL002, for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. AL002 targets a triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), which was identified using large scale human genomic studies of Alzheimer’s disease patients. In 2017, Alector entered a global strategic partnership with AbbVie that includes the AL002 program.

“At Alector, we believe that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a dysfunctional brain immune system that due to aging or genetic mutations, fails to clear pathological proteins, nourish nerve and glial cells, and promote neuronal connections. We designed AL002 to modulate TREM2, which we believe may rejuvenate the aging brain immune system and provide a comprehensive therapy to slow or stop disease progression in patients with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Arnon Rosenthal, Ph.D., co-founder and chief executive officer of Alector. “The AL002 program is our second immuno-neurology program in the clinic that aims to leverage the immune system to cure degenerative brain disorders.”

The INVOKE study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose escalation trial that will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses of AL002 in healthy volunteers and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. For more information on the trial, please visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov using identifier NCT03635047.

“Today, most therapeutic approaches for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease address only one of the multiple pathologies observed in the disease, such as amyloid-beta or TAU proteins,” said Robert Paul, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Alector. “AL002 is designed to address multiple brain pathologies in parallel by modulating immune function. We believe that TREM2 is one of the most promising, new therapeutic targets for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, and we look forward to further understanding its potential through this trial.”

About AL002

AL002 targets a triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) with strong genetic linkage to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. TREM2 is a transmembrane receptor protein that is expressed on a subset of innate immune cells and selectively on microglia in the brain. Research suggests boosting TREM2 levels in the brain may prevent or reduce the severity of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.

About Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia. It is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s. Estimates vary, but experts suggest that more than 5.5 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s.¹

About Collaboration with AbbVie

In October 2017, Alector entered into a global strategic partnership with AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company, to develop and commercialize medicines to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie has an option for the global development and commercial rights to two targets, including TREM2. Alector will conduct exploratory research, drug discovery and development for lead programs up to the conclusion of the proof-of-concept (PoC) studies. Upon exercise of the option, AbbVie will lead development and commercialization activities. Alector and AbbVie will co-fund development and commercialization and will share global profits equally.

About Alector

Alector is a privately held biotechnology company whose mission is to develop immuno- neurology therapies to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Alector is headquartered in South San Francisco, California. For more information, please visit www.alector.com.

¹ https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet