MBM-01 (Tempol) for the Treatment of Ataxia Telangiectasia

Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) is an autosomal recessively inherited neurodegenerative disorder that also has dramatic effects on the immune and endocrine systems. The disorder results from mutations in the A-T mutated gene (ATM) leading to a loss in the production of the ATM protein.

The active compound in MBM-01 (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) may substitute for the loss of ATM by protecting cells from DNA damage, preventing and reducing oxidative damage, triggering an increase in cellular survival proteins, and preserving the brain and peripheral immune system.

Cells lacking ATM are left defenseless and unable to repair cellular damaged DNA, to exhibit normal cell cycle control, to effectively respond to oxidative damage, ionizing radiation, and, alkylating agents, and to maintain a healthy immune response among others. A-T patients have increased oxidative stress and significantly reduced total antioxidant levels. In an early study directed to oxidative stress in A-T patients, a decrease in the levels of total antioxidant capacity has been observed.

There is currently no cure for A-T, and current treatments are limited to palliative care. Therapies include rehabilitative care, infection prevention and treatment, and screening for pulmonary dysfunction and malignancies. Symptomatic treatments generally fall short and leave A-T patients debilitated and in a progressively wasting state. Patients suffering from A-T are in dire need of a treatment to alleviate the conditions of this disease. A drug product that can substitute for the loss of ATM has the potential to provide these patients with this critically unmet need. The active compound in MBM-01 has been shown to supplant the overall role of ATM by reducing oxidative stress, reducing DNA double strand breaks, and decreasing programmed cell death (in healthy cells). Accordingly, MBM-01 represents a potential breakthrough therapy for patients afflicted with A-T providing a multifactorial approached as evidenced by the following:

1. Doubling the lifespan of otherwise short lived ATM-deficient mice ;
2. Increasing NAD+, thereby decreasing the premature aging of A-T patients by reducing the severity of A-T neuropathology, normalizing neuromuscular function, delaying memory loss, and extending lifespan;
3. Increasing the transcription factor BDNF and NRF2 to decrease neurodegeneration and activate cellular defense machinery via antioxidant genes;
4. Maintaining and improving immune system function to ameliorate A-T symptoms ;
5. Protecting DNA from damage and repairing the type of DNA damage observed in A-T patients;
6. Preventing and reducing the type of oxidative stress observed in A-T patients;
7. Increasing the lifespan of mice under various conditions and toxicities; and
8. Decreasing tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis in general.

The study is a multi-center open label study to assess the efficacy of MBM-01 to treat ataxia telangiectasia. Patients will be assessed during three study phases: a baseline period, a 9-month treatment period, and a 3-month follow-up period. Patients will visit sites day 0, month 3, month 6, and month 9 for safety labs and efficacy assessments.

Dosing will follow a weight-tiered dosing schedule administered orally QD via premarked medicine cups. Patients will be administered study drug daily, 7-days a week. The patients will be placed into one of four dosing groups.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Have a confirmed diagnosis of A-T.

   a) Patients will either have a prior molecular confirmation or will be investigated;
2. If female and of childbearing potential, must be using an effective birth-control method with a history of reliability for the individual patient;
3. If a female with a male partner. If the male is of childbearing potential, adequate methods of contraception must be employed including use of condoms with spermicide. No sperm donation for 90 days until after the conclusion of the study;
4. Body weight \> 15 kg;
5. Be able to participate for the full term of the clinical investigation;
6. The patient and his/her parent/caregiver (if below the age of consent), or a legal representative, has provided written informed consent to participate. If consent is provided solely by the caregiver in accordance with local regulations, the patient must provide assent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Females that are

   a) pregnant, or are breast-feeding;
2. Females of childbearing potential who do not use adequate birth control, as determined by their Health Care Provider;
3. Patients with severe vision or hearing impairment (that is not corrected by glasses or hearing aids) that, at the investigator's discretion, interferes with their ability to perform study assessments;
4. Patients who have been diagnosed with arthritis or other musculoskeletal disorders affecting joints, muscles, ligaments, and/or nerves that by themselves affects patient's mobility and, at the investigator's discretion, interferes with their ability to perform study assessments;
5. A disability that may prevent the patient from completing all study requirements;
6. Severe or unstable pulmonary disease;
7. Uncontrolled diabetes. Patients with diabetes that has been stabilized (i.e. no hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic episodes in the past 3 months) will be eligible;
8. Current neoplastic disease or previous neoplastic disease not in remission for at least 2 years;
9. Has participated in any other trial with an investigational drug and received a dose within 30 days;
10. Requires any concomitant medication prohibited by the protocol;
11. Any other severe, unstable, or serious disease or condition that in the Investigator's opinion would put the patient at risk for imminent life-threatening morbidity, need for hospitalization, or mortality; and
12. Evidence of significant medical illness, or psychiatric illness/social situation that would, in the investigator's judgment, make the patient inappropriate for this study.