Immunic Inc (NASDAQ:IMUX) announced that it is presenting key data for its lead asset vidofludimus calcium at the 40th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), which has highlighted its therapeutic potential in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Vidofludimus calcium consistently reduced neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in the Phase 2 CALLIPER trial, suggesting it may slow disease progression across all progressive MS subtypes, the company reported.
The drug also showed potential to reduce fatigue in MS patients by preventing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, which could contribute to reduced fatigue in MS patients.
Preclinical data revealed neuroprotective effects, likely driven by Nurr1 activation, which could enhance neuronal survival.
Further, the drug reduced pathogenic peripheral T helper cells, which could be a treatment pathway for MS.
The data will be presented at the event, which runs from September 18 to 20 in Copenhagen, Denmark, in an oral poster presentation and three ePosters.
"Having four poster presentations on our lead asset, vidofludimus calcium, at the prestigious ECTRIMS Congress, illustrates the strength of the data generated for our drug candidate, to date, and its potential to become a new treatment option for MS," Immunic CEO Dr Daniel Vitt said in a statement.
"We are particularly excited to have the opportunity to present data on various aspects of vidofludimus calcium's profile, including the neurofilament light chain (NfL) interim data from our phase 2 CALLIPER trial, antiviral data suggesting an effect on reducing fatigue, Nurr1 target data supporting a neuroprotective profile, and pathogenic T cell data further supporting the drug's anti-inflammatory effects.
“The combination of neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of vidofludimus calcium represents a potential beneficial profile for effective treatment of MS."
Vitt noted that the company’s next major data readout for vidofludimus calcium is its CALLIPER topline data, which it expects to release in April next year.
“We believe that, if the CALLIPER trial is successful in showing a beneficial effect of vidofludimus calcium, this data, along with that from the ENSURE program and vidofludimus calcium's already established, strong safety and tolerability profile, may allow for a meaningful clinical differentiation of vidofludimus calcium compared to other MS medications, providing potentially attractive commercial positioning,” he said.