19-03-2026

Results supported by key neuroaxonal injury biomarkers pNfH and NfL after six months of treatment

AP-101 is an investigational human-derived antibody therapeutic that selectively targets the misfolded, toxic form of SOD1 to disrupt progressive spread of ALS

Data featured in oral presentation at the AD/PD™ 2026 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

Preparations underway to advance AP-101 into confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial with initiation aimed for late 2026

AL-S Pharma AG, a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing human antibodies that target misfolded proteins implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), announced the presentation of new clinical data from the global Phase 2 clinical trial (AP-101-02) evaluating the company’s lead program, AP-101, in patients with ALS. AP-101 is an investigational human-derived antibody directed against misfolded superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). AP-101 is designed to inhibit the spread of SOD1 pathology in the central nervous system of people living with ALS, helping the body’s immune system clear these harmful proteins.1

The global Phase 2 clinical trial met its primary endpoint related to safety and tolerability. New results provide additional evidence of clinically meaningful disease modification and prolonged survival supported by reductions in key neuroaxonal injury biomarkers, serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) and cerebrospinal fluid phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) after six months of treatment. Adverse events were comparable to placebo, and no AP-101-induced antibody responses were reported.

“These data show something we rarely see in ALS – objective evidence of clinically meaningful disease modification that tracks directly with prolonged survival,” said Dr. Genge. “The Phase 2 study results with AP-101 are consistent with the hypothesis that targeting misfolded SOD1 is a disease-modifying approach in ALS.2 At AL-S Pharma, we believe AP-101 could fundamentally transform the treatment of ALS. We look forward to continue advancing the AP-101 clinical program so that we can bring a much-needed new treatment option to people living with ALS rapidly.”

The prespecified analysis of an exploratory composite endpoint revealed that early treatment with AP-101 prolonged survival and delayed ventilatory support in comparison to study participants receiving placebo for six months followed by six months of treatment with AP-101. Positive treatment effects were observed in both the sporadic ALS cohort (p = 0.013) and the SOD1 mutation carrier cohort (p = 0.036). Effects on survival were accompanied by disease stabilization as measured by King’s staging. Functional decline measured by ALSFRS-R was reduced in study participants with elevated misfolded SOD1 at baseline and in SOD1 mutation carriers.

AL-S Pharma is currently preparing for a confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial of AP-101 in ALS aimed to initiate end of 2026. AP-101 received Orphan Drug designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, and Swissmedic.

About AP-101-02

The AP-101-02 clinical trial (NCT05039099) was a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamic markers, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of AP-101 in 73 patients with sporadic ALS and in patients with mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene. Study participants with sporadic (n=52) or mutant SOD1 ALS (n=21) were stratified and randomized 2:1 to intravenous AP-101 or placebo every three weeks. Key assessments included survival and ventilation endpoints, slow vital capacity, neurofilament levels, misfolded SOD1, PK, and anti-drug antibodies. After 24 weeks all participants entered a 24-week open-label extension with continued AP-101 treatment, followed by a 16-week safety follow-up period. 

AP-101-02 was conducted in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., European Union, and South Korea.

Source: AL-S Pharma press release