International Journal of Molecular Science Review Presents Mechanistic Rationale for Sigma-2 Receptor Modulation in Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Geographic Atrophy
NEW YORK, April 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cognition Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CGTX) announced that a review article titled, “Sigma-2 Receptors – From Basic Biology to Therapeutic Target: A Focus on Age-Related Degenerative Diseases” (doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076251) was published online in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. This peer-reviewed publication summarizes the current evidence-based understanding of sigma-2 (σ-2) receptor biology and function, and its potential as a therapeutic target for age-related degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer’s disease, α-synucleinopathies such as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and dry age-related macular degeneration.
“Cognition Therapeutics has pioneered the development of oral small molecules targeting the σ-2 receptor since our founders first discovered that σ-2 ligands rescue key aspects of neuronal functioning in models of Alzheimer’s disease,” explained Mary Hamby, Ph.D., VP of research at Cognition Therapeutics. “Since then, we have expanded our understanding of the prominent role of σ-2 modulation in other indications and elaborated key cellular pathways that are modulated including autophagy and trafficking under a broad set of contexts – oxidative stress and amyloid-β and α-synuclein oligomers.”
This review summarizes the evidence supporting Cognition’s lead σ-2 modulator, CT1812, and provides a strong mechanistic rationale for advancing CT1812 to Phase 2 clinical trials for early- and mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease and DLB as well as an upcoming trial in geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD.
Anthony O. Caggiano, M.D., Ph.D., Cognition Therapeutics’ chief medical officer and head of R&D, concluded, “We are excited that Cognition Therapeutics’ novel, proprietary strategy of using oral σ-2 modulators to protect synapses and retinal cells may offer a distinct new mechanism to slow progression in these and potentially other diseases with enormous unmet medical need.”
The review article is available via open access at doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076251 and on our website on the Cognition Therapeutics Publications webpage.
About CT1812
CT1812 is an experimental orally delivered small molecule designed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and bind selectively to the sigma-2 (σ-2) receptor complex. The σ-2 receptor complex is involved in the regulation of key cellular processes such as membrane trafficking and autophagy that are damaged by toxic interaction with Aβ oligomers, oxidative stress and other stressors. This damage to sensitive synapses can progress to a loss of synaptic function, which manifests as cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease progression.
Participants are currently being recruited in the SHINE study (NCT03507790) of CT1812 in adults with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease and in the SHIMMER study (NCT05225415) of CT1812 in adults with dementia with Lewy bodies, both of which are supported by major grant funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
About Cognition Therapeutics, Inc.
Cognition Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of innovative, small molecule therapeutics targeting age-related degenerative disorders of the central nervous system and retina. We are currently investigating our lead candidate CT1812 in clinical programs in Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). We believe CT1812 and our pipeline of σ-2 receptor modulators can regulate pathways that are impaired in these diseases. We believe that targeting the σ-2 receptor with CT1812 represents a mechanism functionally distinct from other current approaches in clinical development for the treatment of degenerative diseases. More about Cognition Therapeutics and its pipeline can be found at http://cogrx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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Contact Information:
Cognition Therapeutics, Inc.
info@cogrx.com
Bill Borden (media)
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc
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Daniel Kontoh-Boateng (investors)
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
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