#USA #New York #Olatec Therapeutics #NLRP3 Inhibitors #Dapansutrile

Olatec Therapeutics Presents Groundbreaking Preclinical Findings on Dapansutrile in Parkinson's Research

Olatec Therapeutics, a biotechnology firm in the early stages of clinical development, has recently unveiled compelling preclinical data that may revolutionize the treatment landscape for Parkinson's disease (PD). During the Parkinson's Disease Research Exchange forum organized by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), the company detailed the findings of studies funded by MJFF, conducted by the esteemed Dr. Nadia Stefanova from the Medical University of Innsbruck. This groundbreaking research has shown that dapansutrile, a specific NLRP3 inhibitor, demonstrates significant disease-modifying activity, suggesting a new pathway for patients suffering from PD.

Preclinical Evidence of Efficacy

Dr. Stefanova's research presented several critical outcomes from studies where chronic oral treatment with dapansutrile was administered over a six-month period in translational mouse models of PD. The preclinical results indicated that dapansutrile not only inhibited neuroinflammation—an element known to contribute to the progression of PD—but also provided protective effects on dopaminergic neurons, significantly improved motor deficits, and reversed key pathological markers associated with the disease.

Some of the notable effects observed during the treatment included:

• - Inhibition of microglial and astroglial activation, which are critical players in neuroinflammatory responses.
• - Preventing or significantly improving motor deficits associated with PD, critical for maintaining patient mobility and quality of life.
• - Protection of dopaminergic neurons located in the substantia nigra and striatum, areas crucial for movement control that are typically affected in Parkinson's.
• - Reduction in α-synuclein pathology, which is a hallmark of PD, along with the intracellular buildup that exacerbates the disease.
• - Normalization of approximately 75% of upregulated genes associated with pathogenic microglial activity in models, showcasing a direct influence of dapansutrile on the disease's microglial phenotype.
• - Lowered levels of biomarkers like plasma neurofilament light (NfL) and IL-18, both of which were strongly correlated with motor improvement following treatment.

Dr. Stefanova highlighted the importance of these results, indicating a robust translational rationale for moving forward with clinical developments of dapansutrile targeting PD and related disorders. She noted, "This research not only highlights the beneficial effects of dapansutrile in mouse models but also establishes a clear mechanistic link between its effects and the pathogenic profile of microglia in PD."

Collaborative Efforts and Future Directions

Damaris Skouras, Co-Founder and CEO of Olatec, expressed gratitude to MJFF and the research team for their support, emphasizing that the data collected provides strong mechanistic and biomarker evidence illustrating dapansutrile's capability to modify the core neurodegenerative processes observed in PD models. Such findings amplify the translational rationale for commencing a Phase 2 clinical trial, anticipated to commence recruitment shortly at the University of Cambridge.

Assuming positive outcomes are reaffirmed in patients dosed for a period of twelve months, dapansutrile could emerge as a pioneering oral therapy that targets neuroinflammation driven by NLRP3, potentially transforming the approach to Parkinson's disease treatment in the future.

About Olatec Therapeutics

Olatec Therapeutics has positioned itself at the forefront of biotherapeutics focused on NLRP3 inhibitors, with dapansutrile being their flagship product aimed at revolutionizing the treatment paradigm for several chronic and age-related diseases via safe oral administration. The company has advanced this promising drug from discovery through various phases of clinical development in areas including arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and now neuroinflammatory diseases.

Reflecting on their progress, Olatec emphasizes their commitment to maintaining a clean safety profile and ensuring the efficacy of dapansutrile through extensive research supported by reputable medical and scientific journals. This approach not only aims to modify the pathological processes of diseases but also intends to enhance the health span of patients worldwide.

In summary, Olatec Therapeutics' recent findings underscore a significant advancement in the quest to develop effective treatments against Parkinson's disease, paving the way for future clinical innovations and enhanced patient outcomes in managing chronic neurodegenerative ailments.