Neurocrine Biosciences Reveals Promising Data on INGREZZA for Huntington's Disease at ATMRD Congress

Striking advancements were shared recently by Neurocrine Biosciences at the 2025 Advanced Therapeutics in Movement Related Disorders (ATMRD) Congress. The biotech company unveiled influential post-hoc data analyses from its pivotal KINECT®-HD study, highlighting the effectiveness of INGREZZA® (valbenazine) capsules in alleviating the burdens associated with Huntington's disease chorea.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 41,000 adults in the United States and over 200,000 individuals are at risk of inheriting this complex condition. The disease manifests between the ages of 30 and 50, leading to severe cognitive and motor symptoms that worsen progressively over an extended period. A hallmark of HD is chorea, characterized by involuntary, irregular movements that disrupt normal function and can precipitate further complications such as cognitive decline.

The KINECT-HD study was distinctive as it is the first clinical trial to quantitatively evaluate the effects of a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, INGREZZA, on both cognitive and motor disease burdens in individuals suffering from chorea. The recently presented data suggest that patients receiving once-daily doses of INGREZZA reported significant improvements. The analyses focused on various dimensions of the Huntington's Disease Health Index (HD-HI), a specialized tool designed collaboratively by patients and caregivers to assess multiple functional and psychological impacts of the disease.

In a structured 12-week Phase 3 clinical trial, the results showed that participants treated with INGREZZA exhibited a marked reduction in chorea severity, assessed through the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS®) Total Maximal Chorea (TMC) score. Specific improvements were noted in cognitive areas such as memory loss, decision-making capabilities, and verbal fluency, as well as motor-related functions including mobility, coordination, and swallowing. Data revealed statistically significant reductions across almost all assessed areas when comparing the INGREZZA group with placebo, reinforcing the treatment's potential benefits in addressing both cognitive and motor challenges.

Sanjay Keswani, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Neurocrine Biosciences, expounded on the importance of these findings, stating, "This analysis underscores INGREZZA's role not just in alleviating chorea, a visible and disruptive symptom, but also in lessening broader cognitive difficulties experienced by those living with Huntington's disease."

Throughout the study, participants on INGREZZA demonstrated greater improvements compared to those on placebo across various cognitive and motor-related categories, suggesting that the once-daily administration may offer a significant therapeutic avenue for those grappling with this debilitating condition.

Neurocrine Biosciences has further plans to present additional analyses at the ATMRD Congress underscoring aspects such as the impact of valbenazine on tardive dyskinesia and advancements related to HD and its associated symptoms. The promising outcomes of these studies could set the stage for enhanced treatment options tailored to individual patient needs.

In conclusion, the innovative work by Neurocrine Biosciences represents a pivotal step toward improving quality of life for individuals affected by Huntington's disease. As research continues, there is hope for further understanding and addressing this complex disorder, ultimately allowing patients to regain a degree of autonomy and comfort in their daily lives.

Topics Health)

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