The two compounds are AL-108, Allon’s lead product candidate currently being evaluated in human clinical trials as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, and AL-209, one of Allon’s preclinical-stage product candidates.
Several diseases of the optic nerve and retina, including glaucoma, involve the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, a group of specialized neurons of the visual system responsible for transmitting information to the brain.
The study demonstrated that administration of Allon’s proprietary drugs AL-108 and AL-209 enhanced the survival of retinal ganglion cells by 167% and 177% respectively, compared with the control, and enhanced neurite growth by 117% and 126% respectively, compared with the control.
Gordon McCauley, president of Allon, said the study indicates the potential of AL-108 and AL-209 as new treatments for diseases of the optic nerve and retina.
“This early-stage study adds to our extensive body of research that confirms the potential of AL-108 and our other compounds to protect against and treat a number of neuro-degenerative diseases and conditions,” said McCauley. “Accordingly, we are evaluating AL-108 in human clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease and will expand our clinical development program in the coming months.”