Alterity Therapeutics (ASX: ATH, NASDAQ: ATHE) (“Alterity” or “the Company”), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing disease modifying treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the European Patent Office has granted Alterity a new composition of matter patent.
The patent secures broad protection over a new class of iron chaperone drug candidates for treating major neurodegenerative diseases. It is well established that excess iron in the brain is implicated in the pathology of many important neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.1
“The granting of this patent is an important component of our strategy to become a leader in the development of drugs that target critical neurodegenerative diseases,” said David Stamler, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alterity Therapeutics. “Through restoration of normal iron balance in the brain, we have the potential to slow disease progression of diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. This patent helps protect our approach and expands our portfolio as we look to develop novel disease modifying treatments for these debilitating conditions.”
The patent, entitled, “Compounds for and Methods of Treating Diseases”, Patent No. 3938364, is effective 23 August 2023 when published in the European Patent Bulletin. The composition of matter patent covers more than 150 novel pharmaceutical compositions that are designed to redistribute the excess iron implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. The patent will confer on Alterity 20 years of exclusivity over the compounds claimed in the patent, thus providing a strong basis for drug development and commercialization.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral, and social skills that affects a person’s ability to function independently. Approximately 5.8 million people in the United States age 65 and older live with AD. Of those, 80% are 75 years old and older. Out of the approximately 50 million people worldwide with dementia, between 60% and 70% are estimated to have AD. Medications may temporarily improve or slow progression of symptoms, but there is no treatment that cures AD or alters the disease process in the brain. In advanced stages of the disease, complications from severe loss of brain function, such as dehydration, malnutrition or infection, result in death.2
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and causes unintended or uncontrollable movements of the body along with neuropsychiatric and other nonmotor features. The precise cause of PD is unknown, but some cases are hereditary while others are thought to occur from a combination of genetics and environmental factors that trigger the disease. In PD, brain cells become damaged or die in the substantia nigra, the part of the brain that produces dopamine–a chemical needed to produce smooth, purposeful movement. The cardinal symptoms of PD are tremors, rigidity, slowing of movements, and later in disease, impaired balance. Other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking; emotional changes; urinary problems or constipation; dementia or other cognitive problems; fatigue; and problems sleeping.3 Nearly one million people in the U.S. and more than 10 million people worldwide are living with PD. Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year.4
References
1Dusek, P. et al. Cerebral Iron Deposition in Neurodegeneration. Biomolecules 2022, 12, 714. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12050714.
1Ayton S., et al. Cerebral quantitative susceptibility mapping predicts amyloid-β-related cognitive decline. Brain. 2017 Aug 1;140(8):2112-2119. doi: 10.1093/brain/awx137. PMID: 28899019.
1Damulina, A. et al. Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Assessment of Brain Iron Level in Alzheimer Disease Using 3T MRI. Radiology 2020; 296:619–626. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2020192541
1Ma, L. et al. Parkinson’s disease: Alterations in iron and redox biology as a key to unlock therapeutic strategies. Redox Biology 2021; 41, 101896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2021.101896
2Mayo Clinic: Alzheimer’s Disease
3National Institute of Health: Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease Information Page;
4Parkinson’s Foundation