What's Happening?
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals has filed for regulatory clearance to initiate a Phase 1/2a clinical trial of ARO-MAPT, an RNA interference therapeutic for tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease. Preclinical studies showed potent suppression of MAPT mRNA and tau protein in non-human primates. ARO-MAPT aims to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and deliver siRNA to deep brain regions, potentially preventing or reversing tau protein accumulation.
Why It's Important?
Alzheimer’s disease is a major neurodegenerative disorder with limited treatment options. ARO-MAPT targets tau protein, a key driver of disease progression, offering hope for slowing or preventing cognitive decline. The trial represents a significant step in developing RNA-based therapies for neurological conditions.
What's Next?
Pending regulatory approval, Arrowhead plans to conduct a placebo-controlled study to evaluate ARO-MAPT's safety and efficacy. The trial will involve healthy subjects and patients with early Alzheimer’s disease. Success in these trials could lead to new treatment options for Alzheimer’s and other tauopathies.
