Cassava Sciences reports simufilam reduced seizures in mouse model

AUSTIN - Cassava Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAVA), currently valued at $84.54 million and trading at $1.75 per share, announced Monday that its investigational drug simufilam reduced seizure frequency by 60% compared to placebo in a preclinical mouse model of focal onset seizures. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company’s stock has seen a significant decline of nearly 26% year-to-date, though recent data suggests the stock is currently undervalued.

The data was presented at the TSC International Research Conference held June 26-28, 2025, in Bethesda, Maryland. The company also highlighted safety data from its Alzheimer’s disease program involving 1,929 patients.

According to the presentation, simufilam treatment not only reduced seizure frequency but also led to seizure freedom in a significantly higher number of mice compared to those receiving placebo. The company reported that 11 out of 32 mice treated with simufilam achieved seizure freedom versus 3 out of 29 in the control group.

Angélique Bordey, Senior Vice President of Neuroscience at Cassava Sciences, conducted the preclinical studies at Yale School of Medicine before joining the company.

The biotechnology firm plans to initiate human clinical studies in the first half of 2026 to evaluate simufilam as a potential treatment for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)-related epilepsy, a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 50,000 patients in the United States. InvestingPro data reveals the company maintains a strong liquidity position with a current ratio of 9.08, though it’s currently burning through cash reserves. Investors can access 8 additional key insights about SAVA’s financial health through InvestingPro’s detailed analysis.

TSC is characterized by mutations in the mTOR pathway genes, leading to brain malformations and seizures in 80-90% of patients. Nearly two-thirds of TSC patients do not respond adequately to current antiepileptic treatments.

Rick Barry, President and CEO of Cassava Sciences, stated that the preclinical results, combined with the favorable safety profile observed in Alzheimer’s disease studies, support the company’s plans to advance simufilam into clinical testing for TSC-related epilepsy.

The information in this article is based on a company press release. Investors should note that Cassava Sciences is scheduled to report its next earnings on July 30, 2025, which could provide additional insights into the company’s development programs and financial position.

In other recent news, Cassava Sciences announced the upcoming retirement of its Chief Medical Officer, James W. Kupiec, MD, effective May 9, 2025. Simultaneously, the company appointed Jack Moore, PhD, as the new Senior Vice President of Clinical Development, with his tenure beginning on April 28, 2025. Dr. Moore brings extensive experience from his previous roles at Alector Inc., Janssen Pharmaceutica, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and Celgene Corporation. His expertise includes work on central nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In his new role, Dr. Moore will focus on advancing the clinical evaluation of Cassava’s investigational drug, simufilam, for potential use in treating tuberous sclerosis complex-related epilepsy. His responsibilities will include identifying clinical collaborators and study sites, and engaging with patient advocacy groups. Cassava Sciences continues its commitment to developing novel treatments for central nervous system disorders, with simufilam being a key investigational compound in their portfolio. This leadership change marks a significant development in Cassava’s ongoing efforts in drug development for CNS disorders.

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