IRL757

Drug candidate IRL757 aims to treat apathy in Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders. Apathy is a debilitating condition affecting millions of people living with neurological conditions across the globe.

IRL757 is in clinical development and aims at a once daily oral tablet to treat apathy in Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders. Apathy is a debilitating condition affecting over 10 million people in the US and equally many in Europe. The prevalence is high, occurring in 20–70 percent of people with Parkinson’s which equates to 1.1-4.0 million people on the eight major markets. Apathy is also prevalent in 43–59 percent of people being treated for Alzheimer’s disease, equates to 4.9-6.7 million people in the ten major markets globally (Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, South Korea, the UK and the US).  

Preclinical efficacy by IRL757 has been obtained in several pre-clinical models representing various aspects of cognitive function including potential signals of improved motivation. The efficacy by IRL757 observed, is hypothesized to be associated with IRL757’s unique pharmacology to reverse disruption in cortical to sub-cortical nerve signaling, a proposed mechanism underlying apathy in neurological disorders.

In the spring of 2024, the drug candidate IRL757 received approval from regulatory authorities to begin Phase I after successfully completing the required preclinical studies and development work. In the first Phase I clinical study the drug candidate IRL757 was administered in ascending doses (Single Ascending Dose, SAD) and repeated and ascending doses are administered (Multiple Ascending Dose, MAD). The results show that IRL757 is well absorbed, provides good exposure in the body and has a favourable tolerability and safety profile. The SAD and MAD study is carried out with funding from the Michael J. Fox foundation. In parallel an additional Phase I clinical study with IRL757 was initiated, in a group of research subjects aged 65 and over. The results show that IRL757 is well absorbed and provides good exposure in the body also in this age group. This study in the elderly is the first clinical study within the framework of the collaboration with MSRD/Otsuka.

In collaboration with the McQuade Center for Strategic Research and Development (MSRD), preparations are now being made for a clinical study in patients with Parkinson’s disease and apathy. The first patients are expected to be recruited in the second half of 2025.

In the end of 2023, IRLAB was awarded a grant of over SEK 20 million from The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the largest not-for-profit organization for supporting Parkinson’s research, to finance the Phase I program and in May 2024 a research collaboration was entered with MSRD, part of the global pharmaceutical company Otsuka, where MSRD/Otsuka will finance the development of IRL757 through clinical Proof-of-Concept for the treatment of apathy in both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The project is thus fully funded for the coming years.