Voyager reports positive early data in Alzheimer’s study

LEXINGTON, Mass. - Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VYGR), a biotech firm focusing on neurogenetic medicines, has announced encouraging preliminary results from a clinical trial of its Alzheimer’s disease treatment, VY7523. The single ascending dose (SAD) study in healthy volunteers showed the drug was safe, well-tolerated, and exhibited dose-proportional pharmacokinetics, suggesting a potentially leading profile in the fight against Alzheimer’s. The company, currently valued at $223 million, maintains a strong financial position with more cash than debt and an impressive current ratio of 8.45, according to InvestingPro data.

The company has also commenced a multiple ascending dose (MAD) trial in early-stage Alzheimer’s patients, with initial tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging data expected in the second half of 2026. This follows the SAD study, which met its primary objective without any serious adverse events reported across all dose cohorts. With the stock trading near its 52-week low of $3.91 compared to its high of $10.66, InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued, with analysts maintaining a bullish consensus.

VY7523 is designed as an intravenous anti-tau antibody to selectively inhibit the spread of pathological tau, a protein linked to disease progression and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. The treatment targets a unique C-terminal epitope of tau and has shown a 70% reduction in tau spread in preclinical studies.

Voyager’s Chief Medical (TASE:BLWV) Officer, Toby Ferguson, M.D., Ph.D., expressed optimism about the potential of VY7523, citing the drug’s emerging pharmacokinetic data and preclinical performance. He also highlighted the anticipation for third-party data expected later this year and early next year, which may further support the promise of tau-targeting approaches for Alzheimer’s disease.

The MAD study aims to assess the safety and tolerability of VY7523 in 52 patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s or mild Alzheimer’s disease. It will also evaluate the drug’s efficacy in preventing the spread of pathologic tau, with additional secondary endpoints including immunogenicity and pharmacokinetic parameters.

Alzheimer’s disease is a significant public health issue, affecting an estimated 7 million people in the U.S. and up to 416 million globally. The economic burden of Alzheimer’s and other dementias was estimated at $345 billion in 2023. For investors following this potential growth story, InvestingPro offers exclusive access to 10+ additional ProTips and comprehensive financial metrics, along with a detailed Pro Research Report that provides deep-dive analysis of Voyager Therapeutics’ market position and growth potential.

Voyager Therapeutics plans to present further data from the SAD study at an upcoming scientific conference. The information in this article is based on a press release statement from the company.

In other recent news, Voyager Therapeutics has announced a delay in its investigational new drug (IND) application for its ALS therapy, VY9323. The company cited a need to explore alternative payloads after studies indicated that the current candidate did not meet the desired standards. Despite this setback, Voyager anticipates filing INDs in 2025 for gene therapy candidates targeting GBA1 Parkinson’s and other GBA1-mediated diseases in collaboration with Neurocrine (NASDAQ:NBIX) Biosciences. Additionally, an IND filing for VY1706 is expected in 2026. Voyager’s financial outlook remains stable, with cash reserves projected to sustain operations into mid-2027. H.C. Wainwright has maintained its Buy rating for Voyager Therapeutics, highlighting optimism about the company’s pipeline and strategic collaborations. Voyager continues to focus on addressing unmet medical needs in central nervous system diseases. The company also presented additional data at the Oppenheimer 25th Annual Healthcare Life Sciences Conference, which is available on their website.

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