Phase 1 Single and Multiple Ascending Dose Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of AG-946 in Healthy Volunteers

Background: Glycolysis is the primary source of ATP in red blood cells (RBCs), which is critical for maintaining RBC health. Pyruvate kinase red cell isoform (PKR) catalyzes the final step of glycolysis to generate ATP. Enhancing ATP production via PKR activation is under investigation as a potential therapeutic approach in hemolytic anemias. Increased levels of the glycolytic metabolite 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) in sickle cell disease (SCD) decreases hemoglobin oxygen affinity and results in increased RBC sickling. PKR activation has been shown to reduce 2,3-DPG. In previous clinical studies in pyruvate kinase deficiency, thalassemia and SCD, treatment with mitapivat, a PKR activator, led to improvements in hemoglobin and markers of hemolysis.