– Topline results from Phase 2a study –
Nearly 60% of all patients treated with gemlapodect and 88% of patients completing the study at the target clinical dose range were responders based on the primary efficacy assessment
The Yale Global Tics Severity Scale Total Tic Score (YGTSS-TTS) showed a statistically significant improvement of -7.8 points for all patients, and -12.8 points for patients completing the study at the target clinical dose
No weight gain, events of metabolic marker increase, or serious adverse events were reported
BASEL, Switzerland, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noema Pharma AG, a clinical-stage neuroscience-based company, today announced the Phase 2a ALLEVIA-1 study with NOE-105 (gemlapodect) in patients with Tourette syndrome (TS) met its primary and all key secondary endpoints.
Gemlapodect is a novel and first-in-class PDE10A inhibitor currently being studied to assess its potential to reduce vocal and motor tics in people with TS with an improved tolerability profile over current treatment options.
The Phase 2a study, ALLEVIA-1 (NOE-TTS-211), was a multicenter, 12-week, open-label, single-arm monotherapy study which enrolled a total of 15 patients with TS with a mean age of 26.2 (+/- 8.7) years. Patients were treated with ascending doses of gemlapodect ranging from 2.5 to 15 mg once daily, with a target dose range of 10 to 15 mg per day. The ALLEVIA-1 study achieved its primary and secondary objectives.
Key findings included:
- 57% of patients showed tic improvement compared to baseline, with the remaining patients having no change and no patients worsening on the independently adjudicated TS Clinical Global Impression of Change (TS-CGI-C; primary endpoint) (n=14 patients taking at least one dose of study medication and having at least one post-baseline efficacy assessment).
- For patients who completed the study within the target clinical dose range, 87.5% showed improvement and 75% were rated as much or very much improved on the TS-CGI-C (n=8).
- YGTSS Total Tic Score showed a mean improvement of -7.8 points (p=0.009) from baseline to endpoint for all patients taking at least one dose and having at least one post-baseline assessment.
- YGTSS Total Tic Score showed a mean improvement of -12.8 points (p=0.003) from baseline to endpoint for all patients completing the study within the target clinical dose range.
- Adverse events were consistent with the known profile of gemlapodect, and no serious adverse events were reported during the trial.
- No weight gain and no clinically significant changes in laboratories (including metabolic measures such as blood glucose or lipids) were reported.
“Based on these promising data, we believe gemlapodect has the potential to offer a meaningful advancement in the treatment of Tourette syndrome,” said Ilise Lombardo M.D., CEO of Noema Pharma. “I would like to thank the investigators and patients for their important contributions to the ALLEVIA-1 study.”
“Tourette syndrome is a devastating disease that impacts patients and their families. Recurrent and severe tics interfere with the patient’s ability to learn, work and interact with others.” said Prof. Kirsten Mueller-Vahl, Principal Investigator, MHH, Hannover, Germany. “Current treatments, essentially antipsychotics, are associated with side effects such as significant weight gain and insulin resistance, as well as stigma. Our findings with gemlapodect are very encouraging, given that the need for new treatments and novel mechanisms in Tourette syndrome remains notably high.”
Initial study data were presented at the MDS 2024 Congress, September 28, 2024.
About Noema Pharma
Noema Pharma is a clinical-stage biotech company advancing a portfolio of transformative therapeutics utilizing first-in-disease approaches targeting neuroscience-based conditions with high unmet need. Noema has four programs currently in active Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating pain in Trigeminal Neuralgia, seizures in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Tourette syndrome and vasomotor symptoms plus associated symptoms of menopause with readouts expected in 2025. Noema was founded by leading venture capital firm Sofinnova Partners and is supported by current investors including Forbion, Gilde Healthcare, Invus, Jeito Capital, Polaris Partners and UPMC Enterprises. Learn more at www.noemapharma.com.
About NOE-105/gemlapodect
NOE-105/gemlapodect is a potential first-in-class phosphodiesterase-10A (PDE10A) inhibitor in mid-stage clinical development as a dopamine modulator for Tourette syndrome. NOE-105 has been well-tolerated in studies with healthy volunteers and in patients with Tourette syndrome with no evidence of metabolic side effects including weight gain, hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes. NOE-105 has the potential to achieve a more targeted effect by modulating dopamine signaling exclusively in the medium spiny neurons of the striatum in the brain, while limiting off-target effects compared to other dopamine antagonists.
About Tourette Syndrome
Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder in the wider spectrum of tic disorders, consisting of motor and vocal abrupt and brief movement or sound which is preceded by a local or generalized urge/premonitory sensation. TS impacts over a half-million individuals and families in the US alone, as well as millions of individuals worldwide.
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