EIP Pharma doses first patient in Phase II development of VX-745 Alzheimer’s drug

The VX-745 is an oral brain penetrant, which is highly selective and a potent inhibitor of the alpha isoform of the protein enzyme p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK alpha).

EIP Pharma founder and CEO John Alam said: "Recent human genetic data demonstrate that inflammation is a major driver of disease in patients with symptomatic Alzheimer’s, while the science also indicates the p38 MAPK alpha mechanism could provide a novel approach to effectively treat Alzheimer’s specific inflammatory processes and their effects on neuronal function.

"VX-745 is a highly selective antagonist of p38 MAPK alpha, achieves excellent brain drug concentrations, and has already been in the clinic.

"As such, VX-745 provides today a unique opportunity to clinically evaluate the p38 MAPK alpha mechanism in patients with Alzheimer’s disease."

The two phase IIa trials, Study 302 and Study 303, are being carried out in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD or mild AD.

Being conducted at the Alzheimer’s Research Center (ARC), VU Medical Center, Netherlands, Study 302 is a clinical trial of two doses of VX-745.

The six-week treatment trial is being conducted at an Early Clinical Phase Unit in the Los Angeles region under an investigational new drug (IND) application that was cleared in March 2015 by the FDA.