Athira Pharma presents preclinical data on fosgonimeton

Athira Pharma presented new preclinical data supporting the potential therapeutic benefit of fosgonimeton for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting 2023, being held in Washington, D.C. from November 11 – 15, 2023. Oral Presentation Fosgonimeton, a Small-Molecule Positive Modulator of the Neurotrophic HGF System, Protects Against Amyloid beta-induced Pathological Alterations in Alzheimer’s Disease Models In Vitro and In Vivo. Sharay Setti, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Athira Pharma, presented preclinical findings demonstrating fosgonimeton’s neurotrophic and neuroprotective activity in Abeta models of AD. In vitro, the active metabolite of fosgonimeton reduced Abeta-induced neurite degeneration, tau phosphorylation, mitochondrial stress, and neuronal death. In an Abeta mouse model of AD, fosgonimeton improved cognitive performance in both Y-maze and Morris water maze trials, protected hippocampal neurons from degeneration, and promoted cell proliferation in the subgranular zone, showing potential to support adult neurogenesis. Poster Presentation: Fosgonimeton, a small-molecule positive modulator of the neurotrophic hepatocyte growth factor system, inhibits LPS-mediated neuroinflammation in BV2 microglia. Wei Wu, Ph.D., Senior Scientist II, Athira Pharma, presented preclinical research demonstrating the cellular mechanisms by which fosgonimeton induces anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglia cells. In vitro, the active metabolite of fosgonimeton inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, reduced mitochondrial dysfunction, and decreased oxidative stress in LPS-stimulated microglia. The anti-inflammatory effects of fosgonimeton demonstrated in these models suggest it may have the potential to help reduce neuroinflammation, a key pathological feature of several neurodegenerative diseases.