Athira Aims for the NASDAQ to Advance Alzheimer's Drug to Phase 2 Tests

Seattle-based Athira Pharma is pursuing the advancement of an Alzheimer's drug to several trials, funding them through an initial public offering (IPO), reports Xconomy . The ATH-1017 drug is designed to promote the ability of a protein called hepatocyte growth factor to trigger a signaling pathway that promotes neuron regeneration. The company says its small molecules can cross the blood-brain barrier, and potential applications include treatment for various nervous system disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and peripheral conditions such as neuropathies. A Phase 1 study indicated that the drug was well tolerated with no adverse events, while improvement in brain network activity suggested "potentially positive effects on brain function," said Athira in its IPO filing. Among the company's plans for the drug is a Phase 2/3 clinical trial on patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of two different doses. A separate Phase 2 study will assess the same two doses in the same type of patients, with the effect on memory processing speed and other cognitive measures to be targeted.