GliaPharm is a Swiss-based biotech company that develops small molecules that target astrocytes to stimulate brain energy metabolism in neurological diseases. Astrocyte-mediated pathways hence represent innovative approaches to tackle hypometabolism in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as well as other neurological diseases. AD is associated with deficits in brain energy metabolism, as shown by decreased glucose uptake by FDG-PET in patients early in the pathology (Thomas et al., 2015). This hypometabolism is particularly prominent in APOE4 carriers.

Through its proprietary drug discovery platform Glia-X focused on glial cells pathways, GliaPharm has identified and developed small molecule candidates that selectively and efficiently promote brain energy metabolism. Specifically, GliaPharm’s lead candidate GP-119 was shown to be safe, to penetrate the brain at active concentrations after oral administration, and to enhance brain energy metabolism in different preclinical models. Further, GP-119 was found to restore memory in mouse model of memory impairments linked to hypometabolism, including ageing model and streptozotocin-mediated AD mouse model. GP-119 has been partially derisked through ‘INDiGO Select’ program at Evotec, including early CMC, ADME-DMPK and Safety-Toxicology studies. With the support of the ADDF, we now aim at progressing the development of GP-119 towards IND-enabling through regulatory preclinical studies that will include full-fledged CMC, safety and DMPK, as well as regulatory support. If positive, IND-enabling studies will lead to first in human trials through Phase 1, Phase 1b with biomarker readout and Phase 2 in mild to moderate AD patients.

The ADDF support is key to accelerate the development of GliaPharm’s lead compound towards clinical testing in AD.