QurAlis Corporation is expanding its Kv7 development program to include epilepsy, with its lead investigational candidate, QRL-101. QRL-101 is currently the only Kv7.2/7.3 ion channel opener being actively studied for hyperexcitability-induced disease progression in ALS.
The company has initiated an exploratory Phase 1 proof-of-mechanism study in healthy volunteers to characterize the potential anti-seizure effects of QRL-101 using electroencephalogram biomarkers. This expansion leverages the clinically validated role of Kv7 in regulating hyperexcitability, a key factor in both ALS and epilepsy.
Rationale for Expanding QRL-101 into Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common and disabling neurological disorder characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures. These seizures disrupt normal brain functions, potentially leading to neuronal loss and cognitive deficits. Approximately one-third of individuals with epilepsy do not respond to current treatments, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapies.
Kasper Roet, Ph.D., chief executive officer and co-founder of QurAlis, stated, "QRL-101 is a highly selective Kv7.2/7.3 ion channel opener, which in preclinical models shows a strong potential to control motor neuron hyperexcitability-induced neurodegeneration with an attractive side effect profile. Since Kv7 is a clinically validated target in controlling hyperexcitability in epilepsy, we are excited to expand our scope of QRL-101 into a new therapeutic area."
About Kv7.2/7.3 Ion Channels
Kv7.2/7.3 is a voltage-gated potassium channel crucial for regulating neuronal excitability and membrane potential. Activating this channel can decrease spinal and cortical motor neuron excitability and positively affect electrophysiological biomarkers. This mechanism suggests its potential as a therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative and neurological diseases, including ALS and epilepsy.
Epilepsy: A Significant Unmet Need
Epilepsy affects over 65 million people worldwide, with 3.4 million cases in the U.S. alone. The condition is characterized by unpredictable, recurrent seizures resulting from excessive electrical discharges in brain cells. These seizures can lead to various complications, including cognitive and emotional deficits, social stigmatization, and reduced quality of life. A significant portion of epilepsy patients experience uncontrollable seizures despite available treatments, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic options.
