NKMAX Challenges to Conquer Autism, a Rare Disease Following Alzheimer's

NKMAX is challenging the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a difficult-to-treat disease following Alzheimer's disease.

NKMAX announced on the 15th that its subsidiary, NKGENBIOTECH, received approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Angeles Hospital in Mexico to treat autism patients with its autologous NK cell therapy (SNK01).

The autism patient received the first dose of SNK01 on the 14th (local time). The patient is scheduled to receive 4 billion SNK01 cells monthly. Blood sampling for biomarker analysis and cognitive ability tests have also begun.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs in about 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 people. The exact cause of autism is currently unknown. However, changes in immunological function and regulation are known to have an impact. NK cells influence many processes such as neuronal function and neurite growth. In particular, changes in NK cell function have been associated with the onset of neurological and behavioral disorders such as schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis.

The company expects that SNK01 will play an important role in improving autism and neurological and behavioral disorders by identifying and eliminating autoreactive T cells and damaged neurons through immune regulatory functions.

Paul Y. Song, CEO of NKGENBIOTECH, said, “Like Alzheimer's disease, autism also involves increased neuroinflammation,” and added, “We expect SNK01 to show innovative effects in treating autism patients.”

Meanwhile, NKMAX successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease in Mexico. It is preparing to conduct Phase 1/2a clinical trials targeting moderate Alzheimer's patients in the United States.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.