Expanding Our Portfolio: IGC Pharma’s Strategic Growth in Alzheimer’s and Weight Loss Therapies

IGC Pharma (NYSE American: IGC) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological and metabolic disorders. Leveraging artificial intelligence to drive its drug discovery efforts, IGC is advancing a pipeline that includes its lead candidate, IGC-AD1, which is in Phase 2 trials for treating agitation in Alzheimer’s dementia, as well as GLP-1 agonists for metabolic and neurodegenerative conditions.

As IGC broadens its portfolio with expanded Alzheimer’s indications and embarks on its entry to the weight loss market, CEO Ram Mukunda sat down with IMS Investor Relations Founder & President John Nesbett to discuss the company’s strategic growth and future opportunities.

IGC Pharma recently announced plans to move its lead asset, IGC-AD1, into trials as a disease-modifying treatment. How does this differ from the ongoing Phase 2 trial for agitation?

The Phase 2 trial for IGC-AD1 is focused on treating agitation in Alzheimer’s dementia, which is a major neuropsychiatric symptom. However, based on new preclinical data, we believe IGC-AD1 has the potential to modify the disease itself by targeting beta amyloid plaques and tau while preserving Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) production. This dual approach positions IGC-AD1 not only as a treatment for agitation but also as a potential disease-modifying therapy—significantly expanding its market potential.

What benefits does this bring to IGC Pharma?

Our strategy is to diversify our pipeline to target multiple indications, which broadens our addressable market. By advancing IGC-AD1 as both a treatment for agitation and a disease-modifying agent, we’re positioning IGC Pharma to capture market share in both areas. This complements our expansion into GLP-1 research and allows us to pursue multiple high-growth opportunities. This broadening of our pipeline is a critical part of our value-creation strategy for shareholders.

You mentioned the development of GLP-1 molecules. Can you tell us what’s driving your expansion into the obesity arena?

We see tremendous opportunity in the obesity and weight loss space, which has grown rapidly with the success of GLP-1 agonists. These drugs are revolutionizing weight management and are also being researched for their potential neuroprotective benefits, especially in Alzheimer’s. Our AI-driven approach identified molecules like IGC-1A as potential GLP-1 agonists. This not only aligns with our Alzheimer's work but also opens doors to enter a high-demand, rapidly growing market. The key is that these molecules can serve dual purposes—addressing both metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

What impact do you expect from IGC Pharma's entry into the obesity and weight loss market?

Our entry into this market presents a significant growth opportunity for IGC Pharma as the global obesity market is valued in the hundreds of billions. Additionally, the potential neuroprotective benefits could differentiate us from competitors, providing solutions that not only target weight loss but also help prevent or treat Alzheimer’s. This positions us to generate substantial value for both patients and shareholders.

Does this mean you’re deprioritizing your Alzheimer’s assets?

Not at all. In fact, there’s increasing research into the use of GLP-1 agonists for treating Alzheimer’s disease, and we believe our molecules could be highly beneficial in this area. Our work on IGC-AD1 and TGR-63 continues, and we remain focused on both metabolic disorders and Alzheimer’s. These areas of research complement each other, and we’re excited to explore how GLP-1 agonists can play a role in addressing both.

As we move through the remainder of 2024 and into 2025, what are you most excited about?

I’m excited about the continued progress across our entire pipeline. The potential for IGC-1A in weight loss and Alzheimer’s, the ongoing Phase 2 trial for IGC-AD1, and the opportunity to position IGC-AD1 as a disease-modifying therapy are all major developments. With these initiatives, we’re setting the stage for significant growth and value creation as we move into 2025. We’re committed to delivering breakthrough treatments that address major unmet needs in both metabolic disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.

Thanks Ram. ?We look forward to updates on IGC’s clinical progress.

To learn more about IGC Pharma, visit www.igcpharma.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

To learn more about IMS Investor Relations, visit https://imsinvestorrelations.com/ or send us an email at [email protected]