Why Is Neurodegenerative Disease-Focused Alterity Therapeutics Stock Trading Over 200% Higher Today?

Alterity Therapeutics Inc ATHE shares are trading higher after the company announced that ATHE434 new data in a Parkinson's disease primate model were presented at the Future of Parkinson's Disease Conference 2023.

The presentation demonstrated that ATH434 treatment improved motor performance and general function in monkeys with experimentally induced Parkinson's disease. 

The favorable impact on Parkinson's symptoms was associated with lower iron levels in pathology. 

In addition, ATH434 treatment increased levels of synaptophysin, a protein marker that reflects functional connections between neurons.

David Stamler, Chief Executive Officer of Alterity, commented, "These new data are exciting because we have shown for the first time that ATH434 can reduce Parkinson's symptoms in a higher-order animal – the monkey."

The study compared daily oral doses of ATH434 (3 or 10 mg/kg) versus a vehicle (placebo) for 12-14 weeks after Parkinsonian symptoms were evident. 

At Week 12, all evaluable ATH434-treated monkeys (n=5) had stable or improving Parkinson Behavior Rating Scale (PBRS) scores from Baseline to Week 12, whereas two of three vehicle-treated monkeys did not demonstrate improvement or worsened. 

The components of the PBRS scale indicate that ATH434 reduced motor impairment and improved general functions such as posture, balance, activity, and gait. 

In addition, monkeys with improved scores had higher right dorsal striatal synaptophysin, indicating functional recovery of nerve endings in this critical motor pathway.

Price Action: ATHE shares are up 203% at $5.03 during the premarket session on the last check Monday.