$120 Million AI-Developed Drug VRG50635 Fails in Clinical Trial, Verge Genomics Halts Development

Recently, AI pharmaceutical companiesVerge Genomics Terminates Its Only Clinical AssetDevelopment of VRG50635. According toThe reason for the termination of the study displayed on the clinicaltrials.gov website is "Due to the lack of risk-benefit data, the sponsor terminated the study.”。

It is worth noting that,Verge Genomics in March 2024 willThe exclusive rights of VRG50635 in multiple countries/regions outside the United States have been licensed toFerrer, the total value of the agreement exceeds 112.5 million euros (approximately 121.7 million US dollars).

VRG50635 is aPotent, orally available PIKfyve inhibitor.PIKfyve isVerge Genomics is based on proprietaryDiscovered by the AI platform CONVERGE platformAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)Potential therapeutic targets.VRG50635 has the potential to improve the survival rate of neurons in ALS patients and has demonstrated efficacy in multiple preclinical studies using models related to ALS-associated motor neuron degeneration.。

According to the disclosureExposure,VRG50635 is one of the first drugs fully developed by an artificial intelligence platform to enter clinical trials, taking only four years from discovery to clinical stage.——VRG50635 officially launched its Phase 1 clinical trial in October 2022 and announced the dosing of the first patient.It is also based on this incident,Verge Genomics Selected for "2022 Fierce 15"Biotechnology company."

March 2024,Verge GenomicsFerrer Reached Strategic Cooperation, Jointly DevelopVRG50635。Ferrer ObtainedALS VRG50635 in Europe, Central America, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, and JapanExclusive development and commercialization rights, with the total value of the collaborationMore than 112.5 million euros (approximately 121.7 million US dollars), includingUpfront payment and potential development and commercial milestone payments.

Authorization in only a few regions outside the United StatesAuthority, at that time, was only atPhase 1B Proof-of-Concept (PoC)Verge Genomics Valued at Over $100 Million

The time advances to December 15, 2025.Verge Genomics has terminatedClinical Research of VRG50635. According toThe reason for the termination of the study displayed on the clinicaltrials.gov website is "Due to the lack of risk-benefit data, the sponsor terminated the study.”。

In a statement,Vice President of Operations at Verge GenomicsEffie Bruzik stated,Verge Genomics' VRG50635 Fails to Meet Pre-specified Efficacy Criteria in Phase 1 Clinical Trial, Development Discontinued Based on Results

The decision to abandon VRG50635 also means thatVerge GenomicsThe cooperation reached by Ferrer has fallen into uncertainty. Currently, neither party has disclosed the progress of the cooperation.。

It is worth noting that,VRG50635 isVerge Genomics' only clinical asset, following its declared failure,Verge Genomics has chosen to focus on its AI platform rather than the selection and development of next-generation drugs.Converge's work.

In recent years, withWith the development of artificial intelligence and computer technology, the application value of AI technology in drug research and development is gradually being recognized and unleashed. Utilizing AI technology to accelerate the development of new drugs has become a new approach and trend.

But AI pharmaceuticals does not guarantee certain success, and quite a few drug pipelines based on AI have failed in development over the past few years. However, overall, the assistance of AI has significantly enhanced drug discovery and development, includingImprove efficiency, reduce costs, shorten the R&D cycle, etc.

Extended Reading:

The Power of AI in Drug Development: Advancing to Phase III Clinical Trials in 4 Years

The Once-Hot AI Drug Development Quietly Halts Some Clinical Trials

References:

1.https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/verge-genomics-drops-sole-clinical-candidate-return-ai-drug-discovery-roots

2.https://www.vergegenomics.com/news-blog/verge-genomics-and-ferrer-announce-agreement-to-co-develop-clinical-stage-als-therapy-vrg50635

3.https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06215755

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