• ATH-1105 demonstrated consistent improvements across measures of motor function, nerve function, and neurodegeneration in a TDP-43 mouse model of ALS
• Data adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the potential neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and disease-modifying effects of enhancing the HGF/MET neurotrophic system

BOTHELL, Wash., Dec. 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athira Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHA), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecules to restore neuronal health and slow neurodegeneration, today presented data highlighting the potential therapeutic benefits of ATH-1105, a small molecule positive modulator of the HGF/MET neurotrophic system, in a preclinical mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The findings were presented at the Motor Neurone Disease Association’s 33^rd International Symposium on ALS/MND.

“These exciting data support the potential for ATH-1105 as a therapeutic candidate in ALS, demonstrating improvements in measures of motor and nerve function, biomarkers of neurodegeneration and inflammation as well as nerve morphology,” said Kevin Church, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research of Athira. “We continue to report evidence supporting the potential benefits of enhancing the HGF/MET neurotrophic system with our small molecules to improve neuronal function and provide neuroprotection, and these new data build on that body of evidence.”

Data presented highlight the neuroprotective effects of daily ATH-1105 treatment in the TDP-43 mouse model of ALS. The study results show that compared to untreated TDP-43 controls:

• ATH-1105-treated mice were protected against loss of body weight and had significant improvement in motor function and coordination, as assessed by balance beam cross times, rotarod latency to fall, grip strength and latency to fall in the Kondziela screen test.
  
  
• ATH-1105-treated mice had significant improvements in nerve function, as measured by compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) throughout the course of the study.
  
  
• Biomarker assessments of ATH-1105-treated mice had significantly reduced plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) and neurofilament light (NfL), suggesting a reduction in systemic inflammation and neurodegeneration, respectively.
  
  
• Assessment of sciatic nerve histology showed that ATH-1105-treated mice had a significant increase in the number of axons, larger axonal diameters, and normal myelin thickness levels, suggestive of neuroprotection.

“Importantly, these positive findings in this ALS model are consistent with data we have reported in preclinical models of other neurodegenerative diseases, which also showed that enhancing the HGF/MET neurotrophic system has a positive impact on neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, and could be disease modifying,” said Mark Litton, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Athira Pharma. “We look forward to advancing ATH-1105 as a potential new therapy for debilitating neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS.”

The presentation is available on the Scientific Publications & Presentations page of the company’s website at www.athira.com.

About Athira Pharma, Inc.

Athira Pharma, Inc., headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, is a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecules to restore neuronal health and slow neurodegeneration. Athira aims to provide rapid cognitive improvement and alter the course of neurological diseases with its novel mechanism of action. Athira is currently advancing its pipeline of therapeutic candidates targeting the HGF/MET neurotrophic system for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies and neuropsychiatric indications. For more information, visit www.athira.com. You can also follow Athira on Facebook, LinkedIn and @athirapharma on Twitter and Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical fact and include statements regarding ATH-1105 as a potential treatment for neurological diseases, such as of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Athira’s platform technology and potential therapies; future development plans; clinical and regulatory objectives and the timing thereof; expectations regarding the potential efficacy and commercial potential of Athira’s product candidates; and Athira’s ability to advance its product candidates into later stages of development. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “on track,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “pursue,” “continue,” “potential” and other similar expressions, among others. Any forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the data for our product candidates from our preclinical and clinical trials not supporting the safety, efficacy and tolerability of our product candidates; cessation or delay of Athira’s development of product candidates may occur; future potential regulatory milestones for product candidates, including those related to current and planned clinical studies, may be insufficient to support regulatory submissions or approval; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Athira’s business, research and clinical development plans and timelines, and the regulatory process for Athira product candidates; Athira may not be able to recruit sufficient patients for its clinical trials; the outcome of legal proceedings that have been or may in the future be instituted against us and certain of our directors and officers; clinical trials may not demonstrate safety and efficacy of any of Athira’s product candidates; possible negative interactions of Athira's product candidates with other treatments; Athira’s assumptions regarding the sufficiency of its cash, cash equivalents and investments to fund its planned operations may be incorrect; adverse conditions in the general domestic and global economic markets; the impact of competition; regulatory agencies may be delayed in reviewing, commenting on or approving any of Athira’s clinical development plans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could further delay development timelines; the impact of expanded product development and clinical activities on operating expenses; the impact of new or changing laws and regulations; as well as the other risks detailed in Athira’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Athira undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. Athira may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.