SOM Biotech, a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company based on a unique proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) platform, announces the closure of an internal round for €5.5m to secure the completion of the Phase IIb study on Huntington patients with its lead candidate SOM3355.
SOM3355 is a small molecule with an important history of safety in the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris in Europe and Asia, currently marketed in a few Asian countries only, while never approved in the US. It is a peculiar Vesicular Monoamine Transporter subtype 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor with a different chemical structure from all other VMAT2 inhibitors, justifying its extremely safe profile. SOM ran a Phase IIa study in Huntington disease patients with chorea confirming its tolerability also in these patients’ population, with no sign of depression, suicide or even sedation while showing clinical efficacy, that makes SOM3355 a candidate for a safer and effective treatment to suppress the involuntary jerking and writhing movements associated with the disease.
The company is running a Phase IIb clinical study with a protocol endorsed by the EHDN (European Huntington’s Disease Network) and the CHDI (Huntington Study Group’s clinical research organisation). Preliminary data are expected in Q3 2024 and final report in Q4 2024; based on the study outcome the company may decide to ask for a conditional approval.