Congratulations Dr. Nikolaus McFarland on the publication of “Multiple Ascending Dose Study of the Tau-Directed Monoclonal Antibody BIIB092 in Patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy” in the April 24th supplement of Neurology.
Abstract
Objective: To assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of BIIB092 (formerly BMS-986168) on free extracellular tau (eTau) after every 4 week intravenous infusions (Q4W) in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
Background: BIIB092 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to tau at the N-terminal domain. In a phase I study, single dose BIIB092 (up to 4200 mg) safely and effectively suppressed free eTau in healthy subject CSF.
Design/Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple ascending dose trial in 48 patients with PSP. In each cohort, BIIB092 (150 mg, 700 mg, or 2100 mg) or placebo was administered in a 3:1 ratio (n=8 patients/cohort) intravenously Q4W for 12 weeks; an additional expansion panel (24 patients) received 2100 mg or placebo Q4W for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, completed participants were eligible for an open-label extension study. Safety assessments and serum and CSF samples were collected over 12 weeks. Pharmacokinetic parameters (serum and CSF) and absolute and percent change from baseline in pharmacodynamic measures (concentrations of CSF free eTau) were evaluated.
Results: Mean age was 67.4 ± 5.5 years; 54.2% were female. BIIB092 serum and CSF concentrations increased with dose. Mean suppression of CSF free eTau was ~90–96% (Day 29) and 91–97% (Day 85). There were no deaths or discontinuations due to AEs. The percentages of patients experiencing adverse events (AEs) were similar in the treatment and placebo groups (~75%); most were mild and unrelated to study drug.
Conclusions: Administration of multiple doses of BIIB092 was safe and well tolerated at doses up to 2100 mg in patients with PSP. The suppression of CSF free eTau concentrations in this study is consistent with target engagement in the CSF and further supports the potential utility of BIIB092 in the treatment of human tauopathies. Research is ongoing in PSP (efficacy, NCT03068468) and in development for Alzheimer’s disease.