GlobeNewswire Inc | Oct 7, 2021 08:00AM EDT

October 07, 2021

ACU193 is the first monoclonal antibody to enter a clinical trial that was discovered and is being developed to selectively target toxic amyloid-beta oligomers (AOs)

Enrollment of early Alzheimers patients is ongoing in INTERCEPT-AD, the Phase 1 placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-dose clinical trial of ACU193

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. and CARMEL, Ind., Oct. 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel targeted therapeutics for Alzheimers disease (AD), today announced dosing of the first patient in INTERCEPT-AD, the Phase 1 placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-dose clinical trial of ACU193, a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets toxic amyloid-beta oligomers (AOs) for the treatment of early AD.

We are very pleased to report this first clinical development milestone for ACU193, said Daniel OConnell, President and CEO of Acumen. We are encouraged by recent momentum and the breadth of scientific innovation that is being applied to Alzheimers research. We believe ACU193 has distinct potential to address the continued unmet medical needs of people living with Alzheimers disease.

ACU193 is a monoclonal antibody (mAb) discovered and developed based on its selectivity for AOs, which Acumen believes are the most toxic and pathogenic form of A, relative to A monomers and amyloid plaques. AOs have been observed to be potent neurotoxins that bind to neurons, inhibit synaptic function and induce neurodegeneration. By selectively targeting toxic AOs, ACU193 aims to directly address what a growing body of evidence indicates is a primary underlying cause of the neurodegenerative process in AD.

We are all very excited about evaluating ACU193 in the INTERCEPT-AD trial, said Eric Siemers MD, Chief Medical Officer for Acumen. Our goal for this Phase 1 clinical trial is to establish proof of mechanism for ACU193, including overall safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics and target engagement. We have also incorporated standard clinical outcomes for AD as well as exploratory assessments. Based on ACU193s unique mechanism of action, we believe it has the potential for improved efficacy and for improved safety compared to other monoclonal antibodies in development.

About INTERCEPT-AD Approximately 62 individuals with early AD (mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to AD) are expected to be randomized into this double-blind, placebo-controlled, first-in-human study of ACU193. INTERCEPT-AD is designed to establish safety and proof of mechanism. It consists of single-ascending-dose (SAD) and multiple-ascending-dose (MAD) cohorts and is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and target engagement of intravenous doses of ACU193. The study is enrolling at multiple investigative sites located in the United States. More information can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT identifier NCT04931459.

About Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Acumen, headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with clinical operations based in Carmel, IN, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel disease-modifying approach to treat Alzheimers disease. Acumens scientific founders pioneered research on AOs, which a growing body of evidence indicates are primary triggers of Alzheimers disease pathology. Acumen is currently focused on advancing its investigational immunotherapy drug, ACU193, a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets toxic AOs in a Phase I clinical trial involving early Alzheimers disease patients.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statement describing Acumens goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement.Words such as believes, expects, anticipates, could, would, seeks, aims, plans, potential, will and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning Acumens business and the therapeutic potential of Acumens product candidate, ACU193,including its potential for improved safety and efficacy as compared to other monoclonal antibodies in development, as well as the expectations concerning the INTERCEPT-AD trial. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Acumen management, and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing safe and effective human therapeutics. Such risks may be amplified by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These and other risks concerning Acumens programs are described in additional detail in Acumens filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including in Acumens Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on August 16, 2021, which is available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Copies of these and other documents are available from Acumen. Additional information will be made available in other filings that Acumen makes from time to time with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and Acumen expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as otherwise required by law, whether, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact: investors@acumenpharm.comFor more information, visit www.acumenpharm.com.