STOCKS TELEGRAPH

Tag: small molecule

  • Galapagos NV (GLPG) Stock Trending Lower Despite Successful Topline Results from GLPG3667 and GLPG 3970 Studies

    Galapagos NV (GLPG) stock prices were down a marginal 1.79% as of the market closing on July 14th, 2021, bringing the price per share down to USD$65.80. Subsequent premarket fluctuations have seen the stock fall by 11.14%, bringing it down to USD$58.47.

    GLPG3667

    July 14th, 2021 saw the company announce positive topline results from the evaluation of GLPG3667, a proprietary TYK2 compound. The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 1b study had a total of 31 patients enrolled, each with a diagnosis ranging from moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio and were administered a daily oral dose of GLPG3667 or a placebo over the course of four weeks. The main objectives of the study were to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the treatment, as well as signs indicating clinical activity.

    Success of the Study

    The treatment was found to be well tolerated during the course of the trial, barring one patient in the low dose group having interrupted the study for one day on account of the exacerbation of psoriasis. Any treatment related adverse events were mild in nature and transient, with no deaths or serious adverse events being reported. By Week 4, 40% of patients in the high dose group had a PASI 50 response, which is indicative of a minimum 50% improvement in PASI from baseline.

    GLPG3970

    Concurrently, the company announced the success of topline results from three patient studies for GLPG3970. The study evaluated the proprietary salt inducible kinase 2/3 inhibitor. The studies were randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, with a Phase 1b study in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Two Phase 2a studies were also conducted in patients with moderate to severely active UC and RA.

    Continued Success

    With the treatment being administered orally once-daily for a period of 6 weeks, the main objectives were to evaluate the safety and tolerability of GLPG3970, as well as early signs of biologic and clinical effect. The treatment was generally safe and well tolerated across all three studies. No deaths or serious adverse events were reported, while the majority of treatment emergent adverse events were mild to moderate in nature.

    Future Outlook for GLPG

    Armed with the success of its various studies, GLPG is poised to capitalize on the opportunities presented to it as it further develops its flagship treatments. The company is keen to push for the accelerated development and eventual commercialization of its pipeline of products. Investors are hopeful that the proliferation of the treatment will result in sustained and significant increases in shareholder value.

  • Alterity Therapeutics Ltd. (ATHE) Stock Surges as Scope of Patent is Explored in Treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

    Alterity Therapeutics Ltd. (ATHE) stock prices were down by 2.11%, bringing the price per share down to USD$1.39 at the end of the trading day. Subsequent premarket fluctuations saw the stock surge by 30.22%, bringing it up to USD$1.81.

    USPTO Patent

    July 1st, 2021 saw the company announce that it had been granted a new composition of matter patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This patent will offer the company a vast monopoly over a new class of iron chaperons, which is a technology capable of redistributing excess iron in the central nervous system. The structural backbone presented in the patent serves as the foundation for small molecule drug candidates that have the capacity to cross the blood brain barrier, thus directly attacking sources of various neuropathologies.

    Scope of Patent

    Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are associated with excess levels of iron in the brain, as are various other important neurodegenerative diseases. Titled “Compounds for and Methods of Treating Diseases”, the patent was granted following an expedited review by the USPTO. It includes coverage of more than 150 novel pharmaceutical compositions that are designed to facilitate the redistribution of the labile iron that is involved in a myriad of neurodegenerative conditions.

    Dissecting the Patent

    The company is set to launch the Phase 2 trial of ATH434, its lead clinical candidate, by the end of the 2021 year. The small molecule drug is being developed for Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), which is a form of atypical parkinsonism where iron is essential in pathogenesis by promoting α-synuclein aggregation. Results from the Phase 2 study, in conjunction with the ongoing scientific investigation of the treatment, will facilitate the development and optimization of novel compounds that are expected to emerge from the new patent

    Continued Expansion

    The significant milestone represents an important part of our corporate strategy aimed to expand the company’s portfolio of potential disease modifying treatments for the demographic affected by neurodegenerative diseases. The newly covered compounds are designed to target excess brain iron resulting from the conditions, with the company hoping to identify a new clinical candidate by the time the lead clinical program results are reported.

    Future Outlook for ATHE

    Armed with the lucrative potential afforded by the granting of the patent, ATHE is poised to capitalize on the continued development of its lead product. The company is keen to continue its trajectory of success as it continues to explore added opportunities arising from the patent. Current and potential investors are hopeful that management will continue to leverage the resources at their disposal to usher in significant and sustained increases in shareholder value.