LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 4, 2024--Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALDX) (Aldeyra), a biotechnology company devoted to discovering and developing innovative therapies designed to treat immune-mediated diseases, today announced advancement of its RASP modulator platform, including the expected submission to the FDA of a proposed expansion of the Phase 2 clinical trial of the investigational RASP modulator ADX-629 in Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome to include pediatric patients, initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of ADX-629 in moderate alcoholic hepatitis, submission of an IND application of the investigational RASP modulator ADX-246 for a Phase 1 clinical trial that is expected to be expanded to include atopic dermatitis patients, anticipated submission of an IND application of the investigational RASP modulator ADX-248 for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dark adaptation deficit, and initiation of a preclinical program of RASP modulators in metabolic disease.

“With an unparalleled RASP modulator discovery and development platform, Aldeyra remains a leader in the development of RASP modulators for the treatment of immune-mediated disease,” stated Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Aldeyra.

Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome is a rare inborn error of metabolism due to mutations in fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase, leading to accumulation of fatty alcohols and fatty aldehydes. The disease is characterized clinically by cognitive delay, spasticity, and dermal compromise. There is no FDA-approved therapy for Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome. ADX-629, administered twice daily over 90 days, has completed initial clinical testing in three adult patients in an investigator-sponsored clinical trial. Broad-based normalization of the majority of abnormal metabolomic signatures was observed along with reduction in accumulation of fatty alcohols. A proposed expansion of the clinical trial to include pediatric patients is expected to be submitted to the FDA in the first half of 2024.

Moderate alcoholic hepatitis is a common disease that leads to significant morbidity and mortality due to hepatic compromise and related complications. There is no FDA-approved therapy for alcoholic hepatitis. In preclinical models of ethanol toxicity, ADX-629 decreased hepatic levels of RASP, triglycerides, and inflammatory cytokines. In a sequence-randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled crossover Phase 2 clinical trial announced last year, relative to placebo, ADX-629 reduced dermal flushing (P=0.0007), increased Romberg test balance time (P=0.02), and lowered levels of the ethanol RASP metabolite acetaldehyde (P=0.03) following acute exposure to alcohol. The moderate alcoholic hepatitis Phase 2 clinical trial is intended to assess the activity of ADX-629, administered orally twice daily over 90 days, initially in approximately 10 patients. The primary endpoint is safety and tolerability; secondary endpoints include liver function biomarkers, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, hospitalization, and mortality rate. Top-line results from the first patient cohort are expected in the second half of 2024.

Atopic dermatitis is a common disease characterized by immune dysregulation that leads to hyperreactivity to endogenous and exogenous factors, potentially including RASP. There is no widely accepted oral therapy for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Recently announced results from a 90-day, open-label Phase 2 clinical trial of orally administered ADX-629 in eight mild to moderate atopic dermatitis patients demonstrated statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in investigator-assessed and patient-reported outcomes across a number of different physiological and psychosocial assessments, including complete resolution of affected body surface area observed in one patient and elimination of itching reported by two patients. Based on the results of the clinical trial, an IND application of next-generation investigational RASP modulator ADX-246 for a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers has been submitted to the FDA and is expected to be expanded to include clinical testing in patients with atopic dermatitis. The clinical trial is anticipated to be initiated in the first half of 2024, and top-line results are expected in the second half of 2024.

AMD is a common disease, the so-called dry form of which is characterized by accumulation of toxic metabolites in the retina and visual deficit, typically beginning with difficulty seeing in low-light settings. Metabolites of RASP are associated with compromise in dark adaptation. Based on data demonstrating that RASP modulation reduces accumulation of toxic metabolites in a preclinical model of AMD, an IND application of next-generation investigational RASP modulator ADX-248 is expected to be submitted in 2024. The Phase 1/2 clinical trial is anticipated to enroll dry AMD patients with dark adaptation deficit.

Highlighting the advancement of the RASP platform and the selection of key clinical indications for future development, Aldeyra released a focused pipeline. The previously announced programs of ADX-629 in chronic cough and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome have been de-prioritized due to regulatory and trial feasibility challenges, respectively. In addition, a new preclinical RASP modulator program in metabolic disease has been announced, supported by a number of clinical trials with ADX-629 that demonstrated a reduction in triglycerides and cholesterol.

Based on Special Protocol Assessment feedback received from the FDA last week on reproxalap in dry eye disease, Aldeyra has amended the proposed clinical trial protocol and statistical analysis plan.

“With the success achieved in our ADX-629 program, which includes a number of positive, signal-finding clinical results, we are excited to advance our RASP modulator pipeline to systemic and retinal immune-mediated diseases, as well as metabolic diseases, exacerbated by RASP,” stated Dr. Brady. “We anticipate 2024 to provide a variety of clinical-stage catalysts, as Aldeyra continues to progress its novel RASP platform.”

About Aldeyra

Aldeyra Therapeutics is a biotechnology company devoted to discovering innovative therapies designed to treat immune-mediated diseases. Our approach is to develop pharmaceuticals that modulate immunological systems, instead of directly inhibiting or activating single protein targets, with the goal of optimizing multiple pathways at once while minimizing toxicity. Our product candidates include RASP (reactive aldehyde species) modulators ADX‑629, ADX‑246, ADX‑248, and chemically related molecules for the potential treatment of systemic and retinal immune-mediated diseases. Our pre-commercial product candidates are reproxalap, a RASP modulator for the potential treatment of dry eye disease and allergic conjunctivitis, and ADX-2191, a novel formulation of intravitreal methotrexate for the potential treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa.

About RASP Modulators ADX-629, ADX-246, and ADX-248

ADX-629 is an orally administered RASP modulator currently in development as a signal-finding molecule for the treatment of mass-market immune-mediated diseases. ADX-629 has demonstrated potential activity in clinical trials of patients with psoriasis, asthma, COVID, ethanol toxicity, chronic cough, and atopic dermatitis. In more than 100 healthy volunteers and patients, no consistent adverse events associated with ADX-629 have been identified.

An analog of ADX-629, ADX-246 is an orally administered next-generation RASP modulator expected to initiate clinical testing in the first half of 2024 in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in healthy volunteers and patients with atopic dermatitis. Top-line results from the Phase 1/2 clinical trial are expected in the second half of 2024.

ADX-248 is an intravitreally administered RASP modulator in development for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases of the retina, including the dry form of age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, and related diseases. ADX-248 is expected to initiate clinical testing in 2024.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Aldeyra’s future expectations, plans, and prospects, including without limitation statements regarding: the goals, opportunity and potential for reproxalap, ADX-629, ADX-246, and ADX-248, outcome and expected timing of discussions with the FDA on the Special Protocol Assessment, and anticipated clinical or regulatory milestones for reproxalap, ADX-629, ADX-246, and ADX-248. Aldeyra intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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Additional factors may be described in those sections of Aldeyra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, expected to be filed with the SEC in the first quarter of 2024, and Aldeyra’s other filings with the SEC.

In addition to the risks described above and in Aldeyra's other filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Aldeyra's results. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Aldeyra undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.