# Development of a novel anti-neuroinflammatory experimental therapeutic for epilepsy and Alzheimer's risk

> **NIH NIH R44** · IMMUNOCHEM THERAPEUTICS, LLC · 2024 · $1,248,699

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy are common age-related CNS disorders. Both Alzheimer’s disease and
epilepsy are more frequent in the elderly compared to any other age groups, and a history of epilepsy is a risk
factor for development of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Further, patients with Alzheimer’s disease have
unprovoked seizures and epilepsy at a significantly higher rate than non-demented elderly. These public health
correlations are seen at the level of pathophysiology and manifested symptoms. For example, cognitive
impairment is a definitive aspect of Alzheimer’s disease, and recurrent epileptic seizures are associated with
cognitive impairment. Clearly, the increase in aging of the world’s population makes this comorbidity a major
concern. This proposal is focused on addressing a common pathophysiological mechanism in Alzheimer’s and
epilepsy – dysregulated proinflammatory cytokine production. Proinflammatory cytokine overproduction from
abnormally activated glia is a contributor to subsequent neurological damage and cognitive deficits in both
epilepsy/seizure disorders and in Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Despite advances in our understanding
of these molecular neuroinflammatory mechanisms underlying adverse neuronal sequelae in CNS disorders,
approved therapeutics that target this pathological process are lacking. ImmunoChem Therapeutics (ICT)
proposes to advance MW189, a novel small molecule candidate already in early phase clinical development,
having successfully completed phase 1a and phase 1b clinical trials. MW189 is a selective suppressor of
injury- and disease-induced proinflammatory cytokine overproduction associated with destructive glia
inflammation/synaptic dysfunction cycles and their long-term neurotoxic effects. This proposed Fast-Track
SBIR will deliver a phase 2a trial-ready portfolio for future first-in-patient (FIP) epilepsy treatment trials.
Specifically, we will: 1. Develop a commercial-scale version of a validated GMP clinical grade drug production
approach, produce a multi-Kg drug substance lot, and obtain its release for future patient clinical trials,
2. Obtain preclinical efficacy data for dosing information and the biological rationale required to support future
phase 2a proof-of-concept studies in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, 3. Prepare required documents and
submit a phase 2 IND for a future clinical trial in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Our milestones and their associated key tasks are organized as SBIR Phase I activities (year 01) and SBIR
Phase II activities (years 02-03). The Fast-Track structure will allow us to immediately move to SBIR Phase II
activities that flow seamlessly from preparation and technology transfer to essential milestones for a future FIP
safety trial including pharmacokinetics and a pharmacodynamic arm. Success will also further de-risk MW189
for future phase 2 trials in Alzheimer’s disease or other age-related disorders that involve dysregulat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10947429
- **Project number:** 4R44AG071062-02
- **Recipient organization:** IMMUNOCHEM THERAPEUTICS, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer A Kearney
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,248,699
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2025-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10947429

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10947429, Development of a novel anti-neuroinflammatory experimental therapeutic for epilepsy and Alzheimer's risk (4R44AG071062-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10947429. Licensed CC0.

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