ECTRIMS 2021 | REPAIR-MS and REPAIR-PD: tackling disease progression with gold nanocrystals

Developing novel agents that effectively slow or inhibit progression in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major research focus. CNM-Au8, an aqueous suspension of clean surfaced, multifaceted pure gold nanocrystals, is one such candidate under investigation in patients with MS as well as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Robert Glanzman, MD, FAAN, Clene Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, shares the latest updates from the REPAIR program (REPAIR-MS, NCT03993171 & REPAIR-PD, NCT03815916), designed to demonstrate target engagement in individuals with MS and PD. The sister studies used P31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy to image patients at baseline and after a minimum of 12 weeks receiving CNM-Au8. The PD and MS cohorts were combined for the primary analysis which demonstrated a statistically significant increase in NAD:NADH ratio from baseline. While not powered to look at clinical efficacy, improvements in modified MSFC scores were also seen following treatment with CNM-Au8 in patients with MS. Dr Glanzman emphasizes the promise of this agent to meet a currently major unmet need in the MS space. This interview took place at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) congress 2021.