Benzinga | Jan 10, 2022 08:19AM EST

Aptorum Group Reports Completion Of Phase 1 Trials For ALS-4, SACT-1 For Infections Caused By Staphylococcus Aureus, Neuroblastoma

Aptorum Group Limited (NASDAQ:APM, PARIS:APM) ("Aptorum Group" or "Aptorum"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announces completion of the Phase I clinical trial for ALS-4 (a first in-class anti-virulence based small molecule drug targeting infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including, but not limited to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ("MRSA")) and the Phase I clinical trial for assessing relative bioavailability and food effect of SACT-1 (a repurposed small molecule drug targeting Neuroblastoma and potentially other cancer types).

ALS-4's first-in-human Phase I trial is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, single and multiple ascending dose study designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of orally administered ALS-4 in healthy male and female adult volunteers. Dosing and clinical evaluations of the Single Ascending Dose studies ("SAD") and Multiple Ascending Dose studies ("MAD") have now been completed for a total of 72 healthy subjects and Aptorum is pleased to announce that no subjects were dropped from the studies. There were no Serious Adverse Events ("SAE") observed and no relevant clinical changes in respect of vital signs; ECG, clinical laboratory test results and physical examinations were observed compared to the relevant baseline in both SAD (25-200mg) and MAD (50-100mg). The safety data of the last SAD cohort (300mg) and MAD cohort (200mg twice a day for 14 days) are pending. With the encouraging safety data in our Phase 1 trial, we are on track to submit an IND application to the US FDA this year seeking to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study to assess the efficacy of ALS-4 in patients.

SACT-1's first in-human clinical trial is a Phase 1, Open-label Randomized, Single Cross Over Bioavailability and Food Effect Study of SACT-1 in healthy adult volunteers. Aptorum is pleased to announce the successful completion of the trial, during which no SAE were observed. With the encouraging data in our trial so far, we are on track to submit an IND application to the US FDA this year seeking to initiate our planned Phase 1b/2a trial for SACT-1.

Dr. Clark Cheng, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of Aptorum Group, commented: "Further to our previous announcements, we are pleased to announce the completion of the above clinical trials for ALS-4 and SACT-1. This represents another key milestone for the company and one of the targeted strategic goals we had for 2021. This milestone supports the focus of Aptorum Group to embark on the exciting Phase II clinical trials for ALS-4 and planned Phase Ib/2a clinical trials for SACT-1, subject to IND clearance. The World Health Organization deems MRSA a high priority due to its significant mortality risks1. Neuroblastoma is a highly unmet solid tumor arising in the nervous system outside of the brain predominantly in pediatric patients. We believe that both ALS-4 and SACT-1 have the potential to effectively target these diseases, respectively and address the unmet needs in this area."

About ALS-4

As part of Aptorum Group's Acticule infectious disease platform, ALS-4 is a novel first-in-class orally administered small molecule drug based on an anti-virulence approach targeting staphylococcus aureus including MRSA. ALS-4 targets the antimicrobial resistant properties of the bacteria and is believed to render the bacteria highly susceptible to the host's immune clearance. ALS-4 is targeted for potential administration on a standalone or on a combination basis with other existing antibiotics such as vancomycin.