Coya Therapeutics Reports Statistically Significant Improvement of Inflammatory Blood Markers in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Following Monthly Dosing with Low-Dose IL-2, Further Supporting Clinical Development
Investigator-initiated data from Houston Methodist Hospital showed LD IL-2 reduced proinflammatory factors, both systemically and within the central nervous system, while demonstrating statistically significant improvement in beta amyloid 42 clearance with stabilization of cognitive decline over a five-month treatment period
Comprehensive data set will be presented and released throughout 2025 and in a peer reviewed publication
Coya Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:COYA) ("Coya" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing biologics intended to enhance regulatory T cell (Treg) function, announced encouraging blood biomarker data from an investigator-initiated, 21-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory Phase 2 study of LD IL-2 in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Statistically significant reduced levels of proinflammatory markers were observed in patients receiving a five-day treatment of subcutaneous LD IL-2 on a monthly cycle in comparison to a biweekly 5-day administration or placebo. Lower blood levels of the proinflammatory chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) (p<0.05) and proinflammatory cytokine IL-15 (p <0.001) were statistically significant, and a statistically significant increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 (p<0.01) in patients receiving monthly cycles of LD IL-2 was observed, compared to patients receiving placebo. At the end of the five-month treatment period when treatment was removed, the anti-inflammatory benefits reverted back to placebo levels. In addition, patients receiving LD IL-2 cycles at the higher biweekly frequency showed a smaller impact on these factors compared to monthly LD IL-2, supporting the potential beneficial effects of monthly LD IL-2.
"We believe the reduction of proinflammatory factors within peripheral blood corresponding with significant improvement in beta amyloid 42 in the cerebrospinal fluid and cognitive stabilization during LD IL-2 therapy underscores the importance of targeting regulatory T cells in Alzheimer's disease. We believe LD IL-2 offers an immunomodulatory strategy that enhances Treg function for potentially treating Alzheimer's disease and several other neurodegenerative disorders," commented Coya CMO Fred Grossman, DO.
The statistically significant improvement in serum inflammatory markers corresponded with previously-reported findings from AD patients receiving monthly LD IL-2 compared to patients receiving biweekly LD IL-2 or placebo. Monthly LD IL-2 showed an increase in Aβ42 levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), suggesting increased clearance of amyloid-β, stable levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) in CSF, and statistically significant Treg expansion, all demonstrating targeted biological activity. In addition, patients receiving monthly LD IL-2 showed a 4.93-point improvement in the ADAS-Cog score compared to placebo over the 21-week treatment period.
Topline results from this investigator-initiated study were presented in October 2024 at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease Conference (CTAD) in Madrid. The main objectives of the study were to evaluate safety and tolerability, biological activity, and preliminary efficacy of LD IL-2 administered at two different dosing regimens. This academic study was conducted at the Houston Methodist Research Institute and received funding from the Alzheimer's Association, the Gates Foundation, and the National Institute on Aging, with additional support from Coya.
LD IL-2 was well-tolerated and no serious adverse events (SAEs) or deaths were reported. The most common AEs were mild injection site reactions and a mild increase in eosinophil counts.
LD IL-2 plays a key role in the expansion and immunomodulatory function of Tregs in vivo. LD IL-2 binds to the high affinity interleukin-2 receptor α-chain (IL-2Rα; CD25), which is mainly expressed in Tregs. In contrast, higher doses of IL-2 also bind to the lower affinity IL-2Rβ (CD122), which stimulates proinflammatory T cells and NK cells. The improved biological and clinical effects experienced by patients receiving monthly LD IL-2 administration could be due to selective expansion of Tregs at lower doses, while higher IL-2 doses activate pro-inflammatory pathways.
Coya plans to publish and present the results of this study throughout 2025.
Coya CEO Arun Swaminathan, Ph.D., added, "While monotherapy with LD IL-2 shows targeted improvement in biological activity in patients with AD, as demonstrated in this early Phase 2 academic study, we think that combining our proprietary LD IL-2 (COYA 301) with several other immunomodulatory modalities could deliver additive or even synergistic targeted effects."
Summary of Study Design
The investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial evaluated two dosing regimens of subcutaneous LD IL-2 in 38 participants with Alzheimer's disease that were between the ages of 50 to 86 and had Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores ranging from 12 to 26.
Of the 38 total participants, 22 were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either five days of LD IL-2 (106 IU/day) (LD IL-2 q4wks) or placebo every four weeks for 21 weeks. An additional 16 participants were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive 5-day cycles of LD IL-2 every two weeks (LD IL-2 q2wks) or placebo for the same 21-week duration. All participants were monitored for nine weeks post-treatment, resulting in a total study period of 30 weeks. Demographics and baseline disease characteristics were comparable among the treatment groups.
The primary endpoint was the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs), with the secondary endpoint evaluating changes in Tregs. Exploratory endpoints assessed changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), AD-related biomarkers, and cognitive status.
About COYA 301
COYA 301 is the company's proprietary investigational low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) intended to enhance the anti-inflammatory function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and is designed for subcutaneous administration. COYA 301 is an investigational product not yet approved by the FDA or any other regulatory agency.
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 is comprised of proprietary low-dose interleukin-2 (LD IL-2) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 immunoglobulin fusion protein (CTLA4-Ig) and is being developed for subcutaneous administration for the treatment of patients with ALS, FTD, Parkinson's Diseases (PD), and Alzheimer's disease. These mechanisms may have additive or synergistic effects.
In February of 2023, Coya announced results from a proof-of-concept, open-label clinical study evaluating commercially available LD IL-2 and CTLA4-Ig in a small cohort of patients with ALS conducted at the Houston Methodist Research Institute (Houston, Texas) by Stanley Appel, M.D., Jason Thonhoff, M.D., Ph.D., and David Beers, Ph.D. This study was the first-of-its-kind to evaluate this dual-mechanism immunotherapy for the treatment of ALS. Patients in the study received investigational treatment for 48 consecutive weeks and were evaluated for safety and tolerability, Treg function, serum biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and clinical functioning as measured by the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) scale.
During the 48-week treatment period, the therapy was well tolerated. The most common adverse event was mild injection-site reactions. No patient discontinued the study, and no deaths or other serious adverse events were reported.
Patients' disease progression was measured using the ALSFRS-R scale, a validated rating tool for monitoring the progression of disability in patients with ALS. The mean (±SD) ALSFRS-R scores at week 24 (33.75 ±3.3) and week 48 (32 ±7.8) after initiation of treatment were not statistically different compared to the ALSFRS-R score at baseline (33.5 ±5.9), suggesting significant amelioration in the progression of the disease over the 48-week treatment period.
Treg suppressive function, expressed as a percentage of inhibition of proinflammatory T cell proliferation, showed a statistically significant increase over the course of the treatment period and was significantly reduced at the end of the 8-week washout post-treatment period. Treg suppressive function at 24 weeks (79.9 ±9.6) and 48 weeks (89.5 ±4.1) were significantly higher compared to baseline (62.1 ±8.1) (p<0.01), suggesting enhanced and durable Treg suppressive function over the course of treatment. In contrast, Treg suppressive function (mean ±SD) was significantly decreased at the end of the 8-week washout period compared to end-of-treatment at week 48 (70.3±8.1 vs. 89.5±4.1, p <0.05).
The study also evaluated serum biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxides. The available data up to 16 weeks after initiation of treatment suggest a decrease in these biomarker levels, which is consistent with the observed enhancement of Treg function. The evaluation of the full biomarker data is ongoing.
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, and 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 about Coya, please visit www.coyatherapeutics.com
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