Key points from article :
Alector has reported promising early-phase data for AL002, its monoclonal antibody therapy designed to enhance the activity of the TREM2 protein, a critical player in Alzheimer’s disease. The data, presented at the 12th Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) meeting, comes from the single ascending dose (SAD) phase of the Phase 1 INVOKE trial, conducted with 56 healthy volunteers. AL002, developed in collaboration with AbbVie, aims to address TREM2 dysfunction, a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
The trial found AL002 to be generally safe and well-tolerated across nine escalating doses. It demonstrated proof-of-target engagement by reducing levels of soluble TREM2 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a dose-dependent manner and proof-of-mechanism by elevating a biomarker linked to microglia activity, showing its impact on brain immune cells. These results pave the way for the ongoing Phase 1b trials in Alzheimer’s patients and an upcoming Phase 2 proof-of-concept study.
Alector's collaboration with AbbVie is a cornerstone of its efforts. Under a 2017 agreement, AbbVie has an option to globally develop and commercialize Alector's TREM2-related therapies, with Alector leading early clinical trials. The partnership includes significant financial backing, with milestone payments potentially reaching nearly $1 billion. If successful, AL002 could become the first TREM2-activating antibody therapy for Alzheimer’s, offering a novel approach to combating this devastating disease.
