Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) presented combined results from its REPAIR-MS trial at the 41st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis in Barcelona, demonstrating significant improvements in brain energy metabolism for multiple sclerosis patients treated with CNM-Au8. The investigational therapy showed notable enhancement in brain NAD+/NADH ratios, a critical marker of energetic capacity, across both relapsing and non-active progressive MS patient populations.
The trial results revealed that CNM-Au8 treatment produced significant changes in brain NAD+ and NADH fractions, with researchers identifying correlations between baseline brain energy metabolism and key clinical measures including disability progression, cognitive function, and motor performance. These findings suggest that addressing bioenergetic failure could represent a fundamental approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis. The therapy maintained a strong safety profile, being well tolerated by patients throughout the study period.
CNM-Au8 represents a first-in-class therapeutic approach that targets mitochondrial function and the NAD pathway while reducing oxidative stress. This mechanism differs from traditional MS treatments that primarily focus on immune system modulation. By improving central nervous system cells' survival and function through enhanced energy metabolism, CNM-Au8 offers potential for slowing disease progression in neurodegenerative conditions. The company's research focuses on mitochondrial health and neuronal protection as key strategies for treating multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.
The presentation at ECTRIMS 2025 marks an important milestone in the development of bioenergetic therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. For more information about Clene's research programs, visit https://www.clene.com. Additional news and updates relating to CLNN are available through the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CLNN. The full press release detailing the REPAIR-MS results can be accessed at https://ibn.fm/uuEAj.
These findings have significant implications for the approximately 2.8 million people worldwide living with multiple sclerosis. Current treatments primarily manage symptoms and reduce relapse frequency, but options for slowing progression in progressive forms of MS remain limited. The REPAIR-MS results suggest that targeting brain energy metabolism could provide a new therapeutic avenue for patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options. The correlation between energy metabolism and clinical outcomes underscores the importance of bioenergetic approaches in neurodegenerative disease management.
The positive safety profile observed in the REPAIR-MS trial reinforces CNM-Au8's potential as a well-tolerated addition to the MS treatment landscape. As Clene advances its clinical development program, these results support further investigation of CNM-Au8's ability to address the underlying metabolic dysfunction contributing to neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis and other conditions.
