IRLAB Therapeutics – executive interview

IRLAB Therapeutics (OMX: IRLAB-A) is a Sweden-based biopharma company focused on the development of novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on Parkinson’s disease (PD). The company has a highly active pipeline, with assets spanning all stages of clinical development, from preclinical programmes through to its lead asset, mesdopetam, which is Phase III-ready.

Mesdopetam is being developed for levodopa-induced dyskinesias and, following a successful end-of-Phase II meeting with the US FDA, IRLAB is gearing up for a registrational Phase III programme. This could commence by end-2024/early 2025, contingent on successful partnership discussions. IRLAB’s second asset, pirepemat, is designed to improve balance and reduce falls in PD patients and is currently involved in a Phase IIb trial. Patient enrolment should be complete within Q324, and we anticipate top-line results from H125. IRL757 is being developed as a potential treatment for apathy in PD and Alzheimer’s disease patients, and it is the company’s latest candidate to enter the clinic. First-in-human studies commenced in May 2024 and we expect initial data in Q125. We highlight that this programme is somewhat de-risked, with the Michael J Fox Foundation financing the current Phase I study and the McQuade Center for Strategic Research and Development set to fund subsequent R&D efforts through to proof-of-concept. Preclinical assets IRL942 (for cognitive impairment) and IRL1117 (for PD) could both be Phase I-ready from end-2024/early 2025.

In this video we speak to Kristina Torfgård, IRLAB’s new CEO as of August 2024, and learn more about her wealth of experience in drug development, what drew her to IRLAB and her strategic priorities as the company approaches key upcoming milestones.