Coya Therapeutics Inc. experienced a stock decline of nearly 28% following the release of phase II results for its low-dose IL-2 drug, COYA-301, in Alzheimer's disease. The trial indicated that while monthly dosing of COYA-301 showed potential benefits, a more frequent, bi-weekly dosing regimen resulted in exhausted regulatory T cells and a lack of clinical improvement.
The phase II study evaluated the safety and efficacy of COYA-301 in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The less frequent dosing schedule demonstrated some promise, contrasting sharply with the adverse effects observed with bi-weekly administrations. The findings suggest a delicate balance in the therapeutic application of low-dose IL-2 for this patient population.
Despite the disappointing results from the bi-weekly dosing arm, Coya Therapeutics is moving forward with a combination strategy to tackle Alzheimer's disease. The company aims to address the complex nature of the disease by targeting multiple pathways simultaneously, potentially enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
The trial's outcome underscores the critical role of dosing frequency in IL-2 therapy, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The data suggest that less frequent dosing may be a more effective approach, warranting further investigation to optimize treatment protocols.