Vigil Neuroscience has dosed the first subject in a Phase I clinical trial of VG-3927 to potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

The placebo-controlled, double-blind study will assess the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety of the small molecule triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) agonist VG-3927 in healthy volunteers.

It includes single and multiple ascending dose cohorts.

VG-3927 demonstrated on-target TREM2 activation across common, as well as rare, TREM2 variants in preclinical trials.

It also delivered in vivo TREM2 responses within the central nervous system at a specificity similar to Vigil’s fully human monoclonal antibody agonist VGL101.

Top-line interim data from the trial is anticipated in mid-2024.

Vigil Neuroscience president and CEO Ivana Magovčević-Liebisch said: “With approximately 6.7 million Americans living with AD, there remains a significant need for new therapies with improved safety and efficacy that can broadly address multiple aspects of AD pathophysiology.

“Our orally bioavailable and highly CNS penetrant TREM2 agonist VG-3927 has a differentiated mechanism of action with multiple potential therapeutic advantages in AD, and we are excited to advance VG-3927 to potentially bring a differentiated treatment option to AD patients.”

The highly active VG-3927 acts as a molecular glue that potentiates the TREM2 signalling response to natural damage ligands.

The company is also engaged in developing treatments for both rare and common neurodegenerative diseases. They restore the vigilance of microglia, the brain’s sentinel immune cells.