Vaccinex Provides Update on New Findings for SIGNAL-AD Phase 1b/2 Trial of Pepinemab in Alzheimer's Disease and Plans to Pursue a Development Partnership

Core Insights - Vaccinex has reported positive results from the SIGNAL-AD Phase 1b/2 trial of pepinemab in early stages of Alzheimer's disease, indicating potential cognitive benefits and supporting further development in neurodegenerative diseases [2][3][9] Clinical Findings - The SIGNAL-AD trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in brain metabolic activity, measured by FDG-PET signal in the medial temporal cortex, with a p-value of 0.0297 after 12 months of treatment with pepinemab compared to placebo [3] - Secondary endpoints included blood-based biomarkers of astrocyte reactivity and neurodegeneration, with significant correlations observed between GFAP and p-tau 217 levels over the treatment period, supporting the link between astrocyte reactivity and neuronal damage [4][6] - Pepinemab treatment showed a cognitive benefit in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's, while no significant effects were observed in patients with advanced early dementia [7][8] Market and Strategic Focus - The company aims to position pepinemab as a treatment option for the substantial population of approximately 1 million individuals with MCI due to Alzheimer's in the U.S., highlighting the unmet need in this area [8] - Vaccinex is well-positioned to enter partnerships for the continued development of pepinemab, potentially reducing operating expenses without the need for additional proof of concept studies [9]