Inhibikase Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: IKT) has announced a publication detailing the biochemical rationale and possible benefits of Abelson Tyrosine kinase inhibition as a possible Parkinson’s disease-modifying therapy.
The article entitled “Parkinson’s Disease Modification Through Abl Kinase Inhibition: An Opportunity” appeared in the Movement Disorders journal on November 24, 2021.
The study looked at way c-ABI and misfolded alpha-synuclein influence the onset of PD
The study looks at how c-Abl, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, and misfolded alpha-synuclein play a role in the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Early PD research suggested that misfolded alpha-synuclein was the key cause of the disease’s onset. New humanized preclinical mouse models of progressive, alpha-synuclein-dependent disease, on the other hand, show that while the presence of misfolded alpha-synuclein is required for disease onset, it is not sufficient.
Internalization of misfolded alpha-synuclein activates c-Abl, which then alters the internalized misfolded protein to produce a toxic version of alpha-synuclein and activates effectors that drive neurodegenerative disease processes. IkT-148009, a highly selective c-Abl kinase inhibitor, eliminated alpha-synuclein aggregates from the brain and GI tract, enhanced neuron regeneration, and cause significant functional recovery after therapeutic dosing.
Principal author CEO Milton H. Werner said, “Parkinson’s disease affects an estimated one million people in the U.S. and remains a significant unmet medical need. Today’s publication provides a detailed mechanistic understanding of the early steps in the disease process and the role c-Abl plays in neurodegeneration. Our lead candidate, IkT-148009, a selective c-Abl kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated the potential to halt and reverse disease progression in animal models.”
IkT-148009 under evaluation to assess safety and tolerability
Werner added, “IkT-148009 is currently in a Phase 1b extension study in Parkinson’s patients, which we believe will give us an early look into safety and tolerability of IkT-148009 in patients and evaluate potential improvements across motor and non-motor aspects of the disease in patients over 7-day dosing. We anticipate completing this extension study in 2022, and expect to present data from our Phase 1 and possibly Phase 1b studies at the AD-PD Meeting to be held March 15-20, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.”
