FDA fast tracks Amylyx’s ALS drug candidate AMX0114

Published 03/06/2025, 12:10
FDA fast tracks Amylyx’s ALS drug candidate AMX0114

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AMLX), a $455 million market cap biotech company whose stock has surged 200% over the past year, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to its investigational drug AMX0114, targeting a key enzyme in the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). According to InvestingPro analysis, the company currently appears fairly valued based on its proprietary Fair Value model. This regulatory milestone aims to speed up the development and review process for treatments addressing serious conditions with unmet medical needs.

AMX0114 is an antisense oligonucleotide designed to inhibit calpain-2, which research suggests plays a significant role in the degeneration of axons, contributing to the advancement of ALS. The Fast Track status was awarded based on preclinical evidence that indicates AMX0114’s potential efficacy in targeting this enzyme.

The company’s Chief Medical Officer, Camille L. Bedrosian, MD, expressed the company’s commitment to advancing the treatment rapidly and efficiently, with early cohort data from the ongoing Phase 1 LUMINA trial expected later this year. Wall Street analysts maintain a Strong Buy consensus on AMLX, with price targets ranging from $8 to $16, suggesting significant upside potential. The company’s next earnings report is scheduled for August 7, 2025. The LUMINA trial, which began dosing participants in April 2025, is a multinational study designed to assess the safety and biological activity of AMX0114 in ALS patients.

Approximately 48 participants are being enrolled in the trial, where they will receive either AMX0114 or a placebo through intrathecal administration. The study will also evaluate changes in neurofilament light (NfL) levels, a biomarker for ALS.

The FDA’s Fast Track program facilitates the development of new therapies that treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need, allowing for more frequent communication with the FDA and potentially a Priority Review.

Amylyx’s approach to targeting calpain-2 with AMX0114 has shown promise in preclinical studies, demonstrating improved neuronal survival and reductions in NfL levels across multiple disease models.

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle dysfunction, paralysis, and ultimately death. The majority of ALS cases are sporadic, with no clear family history of the disease.

This announcement is based on a press release statement from Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. InvestingPro data shows the company maintains a FAIR Financial Health score of 2.49, with particularly strong marks in price momentum and cash flow metrics. For deeper insights into AMLX’s financial health and growth prospects, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, part of the extensive analysis available for over 1,400 US stocks on InvestingPro.

In other recent news, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. has been the focus of several significant developments. The company has initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial named LUCIDITY for avexitide, aimed at treating post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH), with the first participant already dosed. This trial will assess the drug’s efficacy and safety in approximately 75 participants who have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, with topline data expected in the first half of 2026. Additionally, Amylyx announced positive 48-week data from its Phase 2 HELIOS trial evaluating AMX0035 for the treatment of Wolfram syndrome, showing promising stabilization or improvement in disease progression markers.

Analysts have also shown interest in Amylyx, with TD Cowen initiating coverage with a Buy rating, citing optimism for avexitide’s potential market uptake. H.C. Wainwright increased the price target for Amylyx shares from $12.00 to $16.00, maintaining a Buy rating due to the ongoing Phase 3 LUCIDITY trial and the unmet medical need it addresses. Mizuho upgraded the stock rating from Neutral to Outperform, doubling the price target to $7.00, reflecting confidence in Amylyx’s research and development pipeline. These analyst actions highlight the growing interest and optimism surrounding Amylyx’s pipeline and its potential impact on the company’s growth.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.