CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I January 23, 2020 ICadent Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies to improve the lives of patients with movement, mood, and cognitive disorders, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial for CAD-1883, a novel, first-in-class, positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of SK channels (calcium-sensitive potassium ion channels) for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA).

“The FDA acceptance of our second IND application for CAD-1883 signifies another important milestone for Cadent” stated Jodie Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, “With our clinical proof of concept (POC) data in hand for the SK channel, we now look forward to driving to Phase 2 efficacy data in our lead indication of SCA, where no current approved therapies exist for this underserved population.”

Spinocerebellar ataxia is an inherited genetically defined movement disorder. It is characterized by increasing problems with coordination that often affect the legs, hands and speech. More than 30 subtypes of SCA have been described.

“The ability to test a therapeutic with the potential to provide symptomatic benefit is a critical advancement for patients,” said Christopher Kenney, M.D., Chief Medical Officer. “We are pleased to provide participating patients with this promising new treatment and are looking forward to initiating our Phase 2 trial.”

The Phase 2 trial is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of CAD-1883. Efficacy outcome measures include change from baseline in the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and multiple objective biomarker measures through twelve weeks following oral administration of CAD-1883 compared to placebo.

About Cadent Therapeutics

Cadent Therapeutics is creating therapies for the treatment of movement, mood, and cognitive disorders. The company combines target specificity, patient selection, drug design and optimization, and novel quantitative endpoints to create first-in-class molecules to treat movement and cognitive disorders. Cadent Therapeutics is rapidly advancing its pipeline of positive allosteric modulators to treat spinocerebellar ataxia, essential tremor, and schizophrenia. The company has an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Novartis to develop a negative allosteric modulator, now in Phase 2 for the treatment of treatment resistant depression. Investors include Atlas Venture, Cowen Healthcare Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Access Industries, Clal Biotechnology Industries, Novartis Corporate and Slater Technology Fund. For more information, please visit cadenttx.com.

SOURCE: Cadent Therapeutics