NRG Therapeutics appoints Claus Sundgreen as Chief Medical Officer to prepare the NRG5051 trial in ALS

NRG Therapeutics appoints Claus Sundgreen as Chief Medical Officer to prepare the NRG5051 trial in ALS

On August 3, NRG Therapeutics announced that Claus Sundgreen had become its Chief Medical Officer, effective August 1. He will oversee the completion of the NRG5051 Phase 1 trial and prepare a Phase 2 trial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which the company plans to begin in 2027.

NRG5051 targets one mechanism involved in motor neuron death. Mitochondria supply cells with energy. Under severe stress, a mitochondrial permeability transition pore can open in their membranes. This impairs mitochondrial energy production and triggers inflammatory signals. NRG is developing a tablet that enters the central nervous system and is intended to prevent this pore from opening.

In a mouse model of ALS, the company observed neuronal protection, reduced inflammatory signaling, and lower levels of neurofilament light chain, a marker of neuronal damage. These findings helped advance the program into human testing.

In January, NRG began a Phase 1 trial in Leiden. Healthy volunteers receive single and multiple ascending doses. Researchers are assessing safety, tolerability, and how the body absorbs and eliminates the drug. These measurements are needed to select a dose for the next trial.

The Phase 2 ALS trial will require decisions about which patients to enroll, which changes in their condition to measure, and how long to follow them. In its appointment announcement, NRG stated that Sundgreen would lead the clinical strategy for NRG5051, complete the Phase 1 trial, and prepare and conduct the Phase 2 trial.

Sundgreen has led neurology and rare disease programs for more than 25 years, from first-in-human trials through registration studies. NRG has now placed him in charge of the decisions that will determine the transition of NRG5051 from testing in healthy volunteers to evaluation in patients with ALS.