NKMAX Expands Pipeline with Alzheimer's Treatment

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] NKMAX is expanding the indication of its Super NK immunotherapy (SNK01) to Alzheimer's disease.

NKMAX announced on the 11th that it has completed IND approval for a Phase 1 clinical trial targeting Alzheimer's patients. The Phase 1 trial will be conducted in Mexico without preclinical studies to confirm results, and the Phase 2 trial will be a multinational clinical trial including the United States.

The trial will involve 21 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nine patients will be divided into three groups and administered SNK01 doses of 1 billion, 2 billion, and 4 billion cells respectively, four times at three-week intervals to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). For 12 patients, the safety, tolerability, and exploratory efficacy of SNK01 at the maximum tolerated dose will be evaluated.

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, detect and remove amyloid-beta and tau proteins, which are the main causative agents of Alzheimer's disease. If microglia do not function properly, amyloid-beta and tau proteins continuously accumulate in the brain, leading to the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Kim Yongman, head of research at NKMAX, stated, "NK cells have been reported to improve abnormal immune environments in the brain and induce functional recovery by secreting cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)." He added, "We expect to demonstrate the mechanism of action of NK cells in Alzheimer's disease through clinical trials."

Paul Y. Song, Vice President of NKMAX America, explained, "In Mexico, where regenerative medicine is possible, Super NK is being applied to various diseases," and added, "Therapeutic effects have been confirmed through administration to Alzheimer's patients."

Ming Guo, a professor at UCLA School of Medicine and an authority in Alzheimer's research in the United States, joined as a scientific advisory board member in October 2019 to advance the Alzheimer's clinical trial.