The study was led by Dr. Alireza Faridar and Dr. Stanley Appel at the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute (Houston, TX) with funding from The Peggy and Gary Edwards Endowment Fund. Study patients received subcutaneously administered CTLA4-Ig, along with a 5-day course of low-dose IL-2 every four weeks, for a total of 22 weeks of dosing and follow-up. The study enrolled 9 patients, and data demonstrated enhanced Treg numbers and function and cognitive function stability as measured by CDR-FTLD and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).
Dr. Arun Swaminathan, Coya’s Chief Executive Officer followed: “We believe these results suggest the potential for COYA 302 as a therapeutic option for patients with FTD. We look forward to advancing COYA 302 in a well-controlled phase 2 clinical trial in patients with FTD.”
Dr. Fred Grossman, Coya’s Chief Medical Officer said: “We believe this study continues to add evidence that restoring Treg numbers and function has the potential to translate to clinically meaningful effects across multiple neurodegenerative diseases.”
Safety and feasibility
Nine individuals clinically diagnosed with FTD were enrolled into this study. The primary endpoints were the incidence and severity of adverse events. The most common adverse event was erythema at the injection site (33.3% of individuals), which was mild and recovered spontaneously. No serious adverse events were observed during the study.
Treg Suppression
Treg suppressive function was significantly increased starting as early as 2 weeks after dosing and remained significantly amplified throughout the 22-week treatment period.
Treg Percentage followed a similar pattern as Treg suppressive function, with significant separation from baseline occurring as early as 2 weeks post dosing and remained significantly elevated through week 22.
CD25 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) was significantly increased as early as 2 weeks after dosing and remained significantly elevated through 22 weeks.
FOXP3 MFI was significantly increased as early as 2 weeks after dosing.
Cognitive Measures
MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) scores remained unchanged at week 22, compared to baseline (Baseline, 13.5 and week 22, 14) suggesting no decline in cognitive function over the 22-week period.
CDR-FTLD scores did not significantly change at week 22 compared to baseline levels (Baseline, 4.8 and week 22, 5.5), suggesting no decline in cognitive and functional status of the enrolled individuals over the 22-week treatment period.
About COYA 302
COYA 302 is an investigational and proprietary biologic combination therapy with a dual immunomodulatory mechanism of action intended to enhance the anti-inflammatory function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppress the inflammation produced by activated monocytes and macrophages. COYA 302 comprises proprietary low dose interleukin-2 (LD IL-2) and CTLA-4 Ig and is being developed for subcutaneous administration for the treatment of patients with ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. These mechanisms may have additive or synergistic effects.
Coya is currently conducting the ALSTARS Trial, a Phase 2, randomized, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of COYA 302 for the treatment of ALS (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 07161999).
COYA 302 is an investigational product not yet approved by the FDA or any other regulatory agency.
About Coya Therapeutics, Inc.
Headquartered in Houston, TX, Coya Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: COYA) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing proprietary treatments focused on the biology and potential therapeutic advantages of regulatory T cells (“Tregs”) to target systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation. Dysfunctional Tregs underlie numerous conditions, including neurodegenerative, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases. This cellular dysfunction may lead to sustained inflammation and oxidative stress resulting in lack of homeostasis of the immune system.
Coya’s investigational product candidate pipeline leverages multiple therapeutic modalities aimed at restoring the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions of Tregs. Coya’s therapeutic platforms include Treg-enhancing biologics, Treg-derived exosomes, and autologous Treg cell therapy.
For more information please visit https://coyatherapeutics.com/
