Vivoryon is pursuing a unique and highly differentiated approach to AD treatment, with a meticulously designed clinical development strategy. Grounded in the discovery that the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase (QPCT) catalyzes formation of the neurotoxic Abeta variant N3pE- Abeta, a key driver of AD pathology, Vivoryon is pioneering small molecule-based therapies to block this disease pathway. Varoglutamstat is designed to prevent N3pE- Abeta formation, rather than aiming to clear existing plaques, making it an intervention upstream of other approaches such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Through a second mode of action, varoglutamstat also modulates neuroinflammation via the CCL2 pathway, which, in turn, has an impact on tau pathology.
“We are extremely encouraged by the exceptionally low discontinuation rates in both of our studies,” added Dr. Michael Schaeffer, CBO of Vivoryon. “Vivoryon is acutely focused on lessening the burden of AD for both patients and their families. As we are addressing an elderly patient population, we know how important it is to design a drug that is convenient. These patients typically have to live with and manage many different health conditions at the same time, which heavily impacts their everyday lives. Many feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of medicines they have to take every day and it is therefore our goal to make taking varoglutamstat as easy and convenient as possible. By investigating options to further optimize the formulation of our tablets, we feel that we have the unique chance to facilitate adherence to the correct dosing in our clinical studies and beyond.