NeuroSense Therapeutics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: NRSN) announced that two members of its Scientific Advisory Board will present new data from the company's Phase 2b trial of PrimeC for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the 77th Annual American Academy of Neurology Meeting in San Diego on April 8, 2025.
The presentations will showcase compelling results from the 18-month Phase 2b trial of PrimeC, NeuroSense's novel oral therapy for ALS, highlighting its potential as a disease-modifying treatment for this devastating neurodegenerative condition.
Key Clinical Findings Show Disease-Modifying Potential
Dr. Jeremy Shefner, Chair of Neurology at the Barrow Neurological Institute, will present data demonstrating PrimeC's safety profile and efficacy signals at 2:24 p.m. during the General Neurology session. His presentation, titled "Shifting the Paradigm: PrimeC, an Oral Candidate for ALS, Demonstrates Safety, Efficacy, and Target Engagement in an 18-Month Phase 2b Trial," will focus on the drug's clinical outcomes.
"This exciting Phase 2b trial data underscores PrimeC's potential to redefine ALS treatment," said Dr. Shefner. "By demonstrating safety and tolerability, an indication of marked reduction in ALS progression, and multiple biomarker endpoints establishing PrimeC's biological activity, we move closer to offering a disease-modifying therapy that could lead to significantly improved clinical outcomes for people with ALS."
Mechanism of Action Insights Through MicroRNA Modulation
In a complementary late-breaker session at 6:15 p.m., Dr. Jeffrey Rosenfeld, Professor of Neurology at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, will present "MicroRNA Profiling and Iron-Related Modulation as Key Markers for Target Engagement in ALS Treatment with PrimeC." This presentation will provide insights into the drug's mechanism of action through microRNA modulation and iron-related pathways.
Dr. Rosenfeld emphasized the significance of these findings: "PrimeC represents great potential to fundamentally change ALS treatment, with its multi-targeted approach revealing profound insights into disease mechanisms. By exploring microRNA modulation and iron-related pathways, we deepen our understanding of how PrimeC engages key targets of disease, offering new hope for tackling the complexities of ALS."
He added that the significant changes in biomarker endpoints reflecting target engagement, combined with previously reported clinical outcomes, heighten anticipation for the forthcoming Phase 3 trial of PrimeC.
Novel Combination Approach Targets Multiple ALS Pathways
PrimeC is a novel extended-release oral formulation combining two FDA-approved drugs: ciprofloxacin and celecoxib. This fixed-dose combination is designed to synergistically target several key mechanisms involved in ALS pathology:
- Motor neuron degeneration
- Neuroinflammation
- Iron accumulation
- Impaired ribonucleic acid (RNA) regulation
The drug has already completed a Phase 2a clinical trial that met both safety and efficacy endpoints, including reduced functional and respiratory deterioration and statistically significant changes in ALS-related biological markers. PrimeC has received Orphan Drug Designation from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.
Addressing a Critical Unmet Need
ALS represents a significant unmet medical need, with limited effective treatment options currently available. The incurable neurodegenerative disease causes complete paralysis and death within 2-5 years from diagnosis. In the United States alone, more than 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS annually, with an annual disease burden of $1 billion. The number of people living with ALS is projected to increase by 24% by 2040 across the U.S. and EU.
NeuroSense's approach acknowledges the complexity of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. Based on extensive scientific research on related biomarkers, the company's strategy focuses on developing combined therapies that target multiple pathways associated with these conditions.
Looking Toward Phase 3 and Regulatory Milestones
The presentations at the AAN Meeting come at a critical time for NeuroSense as the company prepares for the next stages of PrimeC's development. The positive Phase 2b results position the company to advance toward Phase 3 trials and potential regulatory submissions.
The company's forward momentum includes plans to meet with regulatory authorities, including the FDA and Health Canada, to determine the optimal path forward following the PARADIGM clinical trial results. These upcoming milestones will be crucial in bringing PrimeC closer to potentially becoming a new treatment option for patients with ALS.
Multi-Targeted Approach to Complex Neurodegenerative Diseases
NeuroSense Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing treatments for debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond ALS, the company is also exploring applications for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
The company's strategy of developing combined therapies targeting multiple disease pathways reflects the growing scientific consensus that complex neurodegenerative conditions require multi-faceted treatment approaches rather than single-target interventions.
As the AAN Meeting approaches, the medical and patient communities await the detailed presentation of these promising results, which could represent a significant step forward in the treatment landscape for ALS.
