Alterity Therapeutics Announces Presentation of Novel Biomarker Data for Evaluation of Multiple System Atrophy

MELBOURNE, Australia and SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alterity Therapeutics (ASX: ATH, NASDAQ: ATHE) (“Alterity” or “the Company”), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing disease modifying treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced a poster presentation from the Company’s Biomarkers of progression in Multiple System Atrophy (bioMUSE) Natural History Study at the recent 34th International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System (AAS).

The poster entitled, “Relationship between N-acetylaspartate and neurofilament light chain in multiple system atrophy” was presented by Paula Trujillo Diaz, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Because MSA is pathologically characterized by degeneration and loss of neurons in the brain, identifying biomarkers to assess disease severity is critical. N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is a novel biomarker of neuronal integrity with potential for assessing disease severity, monitoring the course of disease, and evaluating the efficacy of disease modifying therapies in MSA. In the study, the data provided evidence that NAA correlates with levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) in patients with early MSA. NfL is a widely used biomarker that is a measure of neuronal damage. The results suggest that NAA concentration may reflect the degree of neuronal integrity in these subjects.

“These valuable data produced by our partners at Vanderbilt continue to demonstrate that we are leading the way in the biomarker evaluation of MSA,” said David Stamler, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alterity. “The data presented at AAS reveals another potentially important biomarker for the evaluation of this rapidly progressive disease with no approved treatment. The field is seeking non-invasive biomarkers to assess disease severity and this novel biomarker represents another potential shot on goal for demonstrating the efficacy of ATH434, our lead drug candidate in Phase 2 for the treatment of MSA. The findings suggest that the NAA metabolite may be a useful biomarker for assessing disease severity and treatment response in MSA.”

The study assessed 13 early-stage MSA patients (motor symptom onset ≤ 4 yrs) with diagnosis supported by a multimodal approach that utilizes neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers¹. Participants completed neurologic examination and clinical assessment with the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) and the Natural History and Neuroprotection in Parkinson Plus Syndromes scale (NNIPPS). All participants had α-synuclein seed amplification assay results consistent with MSA, CSF NfL > 2000, and plasma NfL > 20. The investigators utilized a non-invasive MRI technique known as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) that allows quantification of metabolites such as NAA in the brain. NAA is a a marker of neuronal integrity given its role in cellular energetics and myelin synthesis. In this study, the investigators tested the hypothesis that the quantity of NAA measured using MRS is correlated with NfL levels.