Alector Announces First Patient Dosed in PROGRESS-AD Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AL101/GSK4527226 in Patients with Early Alzheimer’s Disease

The trial, being conducted in partnership with GSK, is expected to enroll approximately 282 patients globally

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alector, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALEC) and GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that the first patient has been dosed in PROGRESS-AD, the global Phase 2 clinical trial of AL101/GSK4527226 in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to AD. AL101 is an investigational human monoclonal antibody designed to block and downregulate the sortilin receptor to elevate the level of progranulin in the brain in a manner similar to investigational latozinemab but with different pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties. Alector and GSK are co-developing and will be co-commercializing AL101 for the potential treatment of more prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, including AD and Parkinson’s disease.

“In partnership with GSK, we are delighted to announce the dosing of the first patient in PROGRESS-AD, the Phase 2 trial of AL101 for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease, which remains a high unmet need,” said Arnon Rosenthal, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alector. “Modest reduction in the levels of progranulin due to genetic mutations has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, an elevation of progranulin was shown to be protective in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. This provides a genetic and biological rationale for considering the investigational testing of AL101 in Alzheimer’s disease. To date, AL101 has been shown to be generally well tolerated and elevated progranulin levels in healthy volunteers. We look forward to continuing the development of AL101 in this Phase 2 trial with our partner GSK who is operationalizing the trial. AL101 is an exciting addition to our expanding portfolio of investigational dementia therapies, which includes the TREM2-activating antibody AL002, currently in the final stages of a Phase 2 trial in Alzheimer’s disease, and latozinemab, a progranulin-elevating antibody, advancing through the final stages of a pivotal Phase 3 trial in frontotemporal dementia due to a progranulin gene mutation.”