Results showed CNS target engagement with reduction in GCase substrate glucosylsphingosine (GluSph) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a prespecified endpoint
The reduction in GluSph in CSF, a first-ever observation following the administration of a GCase modulator to PD patients, suggests increased GCase activity in the brain, which is expected to impact the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD)
KOL event planned for early January to discuss the results; registration information herein
BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gain Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GANX) (“Gain”, or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the discovery and development of the next generation of allosteric small molecule therapies, today provided evidence, for the first time in Parkinson’s Disease (PD), of a reduction in glucocerebrosidase (GCase) substrate in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Decreased GluSph in CSF is an indication of increased GCase activity in the brain
All individuals with elevated levels of glucosylsphingosine (GluSph) in the CSF displayed large decreases back towards levels observed in healthy individuals after 90 days of treatment with GT-02287. Importantly, the change observed in GluSph in CSF was a prespecified exploratory endpoint of this Phase 1b study. Elevated GluSph, a hallmark of GCase dysfunction, has been shown to increase the aggregation of alpha synuclein and to impair mitochondrial function and other intracellular processes in neurons.
Gene Mack, president and CEO of Gain Therapeutics, commented on the results, stating, “We are excited by the unfolding biomarker evidence of GT-02287 activity and central nervous system target engagement. To our knowledge, GT-02287 is the first GCase modulator to demonstrate a reduction of GluSph in CSF in people with PD, providing downstream evidence of GCase enhancement in the brain. Further, we believe that reduction in brain GluSph levels will have a direct impact on neuronal health and translate to clinically observable improvements.”
Mr. Mack continued, “With a capital position sufficient to fund operations through the end of the Phase 1b extension and year-end 2026, we look forward to presenting longer follow-up from the study at the AD/PD™ conference in March 2026, observing the effect of GT-02287 treatment on MDS-UPDRS scores in the participants who continued in the nine-month extension, and determining the durability of some of the anecdotal signs of early functional improvement.”
GT-02287 Phase 1b Study
Part 1 (90 days of dosing) of the ongoing Phase 1b study has concluded. The Phase 1b study enrolled 21 participants; 19 completed the 90-day dosing period, and 15 (79%) chose to continue in the nine-month extension (Part 2) portion of the study that is anticipated to conclude in September 2026.
Consistent with the initial Phase 1b data presented at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in October 2025, GT-02287 continues to be generally well-tolerated over 90 days of dosing at plasma exposures within the projected therapeutic range. The data monitoring committee (DMC) has recommended that the Phase 1b study continue with no changes.
Upcoming Virtual KOL Event on GT-02287
Gain Therapeutics will host a webinar “Understanding GCase Substrates in Parkinson’s Disease: Perspectives on Biomarkers and Disease Modification, Contextualizing emerging biomarker data from the Phase 1b clinical study of GT-02287”, featuring key opinion leaders Roy Alcalay, M.D., M.Sc., and Peter Lansbury, Ph.D., on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results announced today and host a question-and-answer session. Additional details about the event will be issued closer to the event in a separate press release. To register, please click here.
About GT-02287
Gain Therapeutics’ lead drug candidate, GT-02287, is in clinical development for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with or without a GBA1 mutation. The orally administered, brain-penetrant small molecule is an allosteric enzyme modulator that restores the function of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase) which becomes misfolded and impaired due to mutations in the GBA1 gene, the most common genetic abnormality associated with PD, or other age-related stress factors. In preclinical models of PD, GT-02287 restored GCase enzymatic function, reduced ER stress, lysosomal and mitochondrial pathology, aggregated α-synuclein, neuroinflammation and neuronal death, as well as plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels, a biomarker of neurodegeneration. In rodent models of both GBA1-PD and idiopathic PD, GT-02287 was shown to rescue deficits in motor function and gait and prevent the development of deficits in complex behaviors such as nesting.
Compelling preclinical data in models of both GBA1-PD and idiopathic PD, demonstrating a disease-modifying effect after administration of GT-02287, suggest that GT-02287 may have the potential to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Results from a Phase 1 study of GT-02287 in healthy volunteers demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability, plasma and CNS exposures in the projected therapeutic range, and target engagement with an increase in glucocerebrosidase (GCase) activity among those receiving GT-02287 at clinically relevant doses.
GT-02287 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b clinical trial for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with or without a GBA1 mutation. The primary endpoint of the trial, which enrolled participants across seven sites in Australia, is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of GT-02287 after three months of dosing in people with Parkinson’s disease. The recently commenced Phase 1b study extension allows participants to continue to be treated with GT-02287 for up to a total of 12 months.
Gain’s lead program in Parkinson’s disease has been awarded funding support early in its development from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA, as well as from the Eurostars-2 joint program with co-funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and Innosuisse – Swiss Innovation Agency.
About Gain Therapeutics, Inc.
Gain Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the discovery and development of next generation allosteric therapies. Gain’s lead drug candidate, GT-02287 is currently being evaluated for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with or without a GBA1 mutation in a Phase 1b clinical trial. GT-02287 has further potential in Gaucher’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Alzheimer’s disease. Gain has multiple undisclosed preclinical assets targeting lysosomal storage disorders, metabolic diseases, and solid tumors.
Gain’s unique approach enables the discovery of novel, allosteric small molecule modulators that can restore or disrupt protein function. Deploying its highly advanced Magellan™ platform, Gain is accelerating drug discovery and unlocking novel disease-modifying treatments for untreatable or difficult-to-treat disorders including neurodegenerative diseases, rare genetic disorders and oncology.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are typically preceded by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “will,” “may,” “should,” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current knowledge, assumptions, judgment and expectations regarding future performance or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, they give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct or that those goals will be achieved, and you should be aware that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: the development of the Company’s current or future product candidates including GT-02287; expectations regarding the completion and timing of results from a Phase 1b clinical study for GT-02287, including any extension studies; expectations regarding the timing of patient enrollment for a Phase 1b clinical study for GT-02287, including any extension studies; the timing of any submissions to the FDA or other regulatory bodies and agencies; and the potential therapeutic and clinical benefits of the Company’s product candidates. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the Company’s business in general, please refer to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We have no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investors:
Gain Therapeutics, Inc.
Apaar Jammu
Manager, Investor Relations and Public Relations
ajammu@gaintherapeutics.com
LifeSci Advisors LLC
Chuck Padala
Managing Director
chuck@lifesciadvisors.com
Media:
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Nic Johnson and Elio Ambrosio
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elio.ambrosio@russopartnersllc.com
(760) 846-9256
