SANTA ANA, Calif. — NKGen Biotech, Inc. (OTC: NKGN) (“NKGen” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous and allogeneic natural killer (“NK”) cell therapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Expanded Access Program (EAP) authorization for its IND for an open-label, non-randomized, multi-center intermediate size expanded access protocol for use of troculeucel for neurodegenerative diseases. This includes its use for the treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases, many of which currently have no effective therapy.
While NKGen’s ongoing double-blind randomized Phase 2a trial is focused on moderate-stage Alzheimer’s disease (NCT06189963), this EAP IND marks the company’s exploration into the treatment of other less common neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to earlier stage Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), this IND includes the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Corticobasal degeneration (CBD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD).
This IND approval will allow NKGen to expand and explore the use of troculeucel in up to 20 patients.
“There is a common element of autoimmune neuroinflammation in all of these neurodegenerative diseases due to autoreactive T cells, many in response to either an amyloid, alpha-synuclein, or tau protein deposition,” said Paul Y. Song, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NKGen Biotech. “As we have demonstrated in two Phase I trials in Alzheimer’s Disease, troculeucel, given via a simple IV, appears to cross the blood brain barrier to reduce neuroinflammatory and protein biomarkers in CSF. We believe there is ample scientific and clinical rationale to offer this to patients with other neurodegenerative diseases for which there is no effective therapy and little hope. We will begin enrolling patients as soon as possible, but the speed of enrollment will depend on funding.”
About NKGen Biotech
NKGen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous and allogeneic NK cell therapeutics. NKGen is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, USA. For more information, please visit www.nkgenbiotech.com.
About Troculeucel
Troculeucel is a novel cell-based, patient specific, ex vivo expanded autologous NK cell immunotherapeutic drug candidate. NKGen is developing troculeucel for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and a broad range of cancers. Troculeucel is the International Nonproprietary Name (“INN”) for SNK01 assigned by the World Health Organization (“WHO”). The WHO INN approval of troculeucel establishes a universally recognized nonproprietary drug name for SNK01 and marks a significant step on NKGen’s journey toward bringing this therapy to market.
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