A Placebo‐Controlled Phase I Study in Healthy Subjects Assessing NVG‐291, which Targets CNS Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Sigma (PTPσ)

Abstract Background Substantial data from animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) indicate that accumulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) at sites of CNS damage can lead to inhibition of CNS repair. A CSPG receptor termed protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTPσ) has been implicated in mediating the inhibitory effect of CSPGs. NervGen is developing a first‐in‐class PTPσ modulator NVG‐291, a systemically administered therapeutic peptide derived from the cytoplasmic domain of PTPs, for treatment of nervous system damage. A rodent analogue of NVG‐291 was found to improve functional outcomes, axonal regeneration, remyelination and neuroplasticity in animal models of CNS damage. Method Part 1 (SAD portion) enrolled 37 subjects randomly assigned into 6 dose cohorts of placebo or NVG‐291. The doses tested exceed the human equivalent doses that showed efficacy in several animal models including SCI and MS. Part 2 (MAD portion) will dose up to 18 subjects randomly assigned into 3 dose cohorts to receive NVG‐291 or placebo once‐daily for 14 days. CSF will be collected in additional subjects for analysis of NVG‐291 concentration and biomarker exploration. Result NVG‐291 has been safe and well‐tolerated through the 6 SAD cohorts (Part 1). Part 2 will complete in 2022. Part 1/2 results will be presented. Conclusion This Phase 1 study will establish the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of NVG‐291 to support advancement to a clinical trial in patients with AD in 2022.