NKGen Biotech’s SNK01 NK Cell Therapy Cleared to Start Phase 2 Clinical Trial in Alzheimer’s Disease

SNK01, a cryopreserved, autologous enhanced natural killer cell therapy, delivered in highest dose to date, demonstrates preliminary clinical benefit without any drug-related adverse events.

Company advances SNK01 into Phase 2 in moderate Alzheimer’s disease; first patient enrolled in Phase 2 expected in Q2 2024.

SANTA ANA, Calif., May 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NKGen Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: NKGN) (“NKGen” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous, allogeneic and CAR-NK natural killer (“NK”) cell therapeutics, today announced that its Safety Review Committee has cleared the Company’s cryopreserved autologous, expanded and enhanced SNK01 to progress into Phase 2 clinical development.

NKGen’s initial “proof of concept” Phase 1 study was an open label, 3+3 dose escalation study which demonstrated that even after only four doses (1, 2, or 4 billion cells) given simple IV, that SNK01 was very safe and able to cross the blood brain barrier to reduce amyloid, tau, and alpha-synuclein proteins as well as neuroinflammation in a dose responsive manner. Despite only receiving four doses, 90% of patients (median MMSE score of 14) demonstrated improvement or maintained stable cognitive function as per Alzheimer's disease composite score (“ADCOMS”).

Based on this initial pilot experience, NKGen received US FDA clearance for a new Phase 1/2a study in moderate Alzheimer’s disease using its new cryopreserved autologous product at an increased dose of 6 billion cells given every three weeks for a full-year compared to only four total doses in the initial proof-of-concept study. Three patients were enrolled in the Phase I portion to assess the safety of the higher 6 billion cell dose. In this Phase 1 portion of this trial, SNK01 was very well-tolerated, without any drug related adverse effects.

After careful review of the Phase 1 data by a majority independent Safety Review Committee, SNK01 has been cleared by an Internal Review Board (“IRB”) to enter into the Phase 2 portion of the clinical trial. This pivotal stage will assess efficacy and further safety of SNK01 in a larger group of 30 patients with moderate Alzheimer’s disease using a randomized, double-blind design (20 to receive SNK01, 10 to receive placebo). The Phase 2 trial will provide deep insights into the potential benefits and risks of SNK01 in moderate Alzheimer’s Disease, helping clinical researchers to provide validation of the potential therapeutic value of SNK01.