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news.IntelGenx has started a phase 1 clinical trial of montelukast, a drug repurposing opportunity for the treatment of degenerative diseases of the brain, such as: mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimers disease, the most prominent form of dementia.
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The objectives of the trial are to demonstrate: 1. IntelGenx oral film product will provide therapeutically effective blood levels of montelukast, and; 2. montelukast when delivered using IntelGenx oral film crosses the blood brain barrier.
IntelGenx is collaborating with Dr. Ludwig Aigner, a neuroscientist who is a member of IntelGenx Scientific Advisory Board and head of the Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine at the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria.
Dr. Aigner has made major contributions in the field of brain and spinal cord regeneration over the last 25 years. He was the first to develop tools to visualize neurogenesis in living animals and identified signaling mechanisms that are crucially involved in limiting brain regeneration.
One of these mechanisms, leukotriene signaling, is related to asthma. In consequence, Dr. Aigner and his team recently demonstrated that the anti-asthmatic drug montelukast structurally and functionally rejuvenates the aged brain. His main aim is to develop molecular and cellular therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases and for the aged population.
"A new era in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is arising. Besides protecting neurons from dying, we have found ways to regenerate and to rejuvenate the aged and the degenerated brain by addressing several crucial principles of brain repair with one single mechanism. Montelukast is targeting exactly this mechanism; it will be an exciting breakthrough to see the potential of montelukast to improve learning and memory skills in patients with dementia such as Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Ludwig Aigner.
IntelGenx expects results from the phase 1 trial to be available in September 2016. Following the completion of the phase 1 results, the Company will begin preparation work to initiate a phase 2 study where patients will be enrolled. IntelGenx will be actively seeking a partnership or alliance opportunity to complete the remaining developmental work and commercialization of this product.
"Montelukast is by far the most important and promising drug repurposing opportunity that the company has in its product pipeline," said Dr. Horst G. Zerbe, President and CEO of IntelGenx.
"IntelGenx with Dr. Aigner, is taking a leadership position in this most serious unmet need affecting millions globally. The market for degenerative diseases of the brain is a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for the company. We look forward to communicating the results from the phase 1 study and advancing montelukast forward to reach its full potential."
About Montelukast:
Montelukast (trade name Singulair) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) used for the maintenance treatment of asthma and to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Montelukast is a CysLT1 antagonist; it blocks the action of leukotriene D4 (and secondary ligands LTC4 and LTE4) on the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor CysLT1 in the lungs and bronchial tubes by binding to it. This reduces the bronchoconstriction otherwise caused by the leukotriene and results in less inflammation. The "Mont" in Montelukast stands for Montreal, the place where Merck developed the drug.