Smallcap Alterity Therapeutics takes its global muscular atrophy research trial to Italy

Healthcare smallcap and penny stock Alterity Therapeutics (ASX:ATH) has confirmed a jurisdictional expansion to its global medical trial for a Parkinson's-like disorder with an Italian study launched Wednesday. 

In June last year, it crossed the ditch to set up a like-for-like trial in New Zealand. Earlier this month, it launched one in the US. 

The company is seeking data on the effectiveness and safety of its keystone product ATH434. 

First, let’s go over what Alterity’s patented treatments are addressing: Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). 

Give it to me straight, Doc 

MSA is a Parkinsonian (read: like Parkinson’s) neurodegenerative condition which impacts the brain, as opposed to the body, but causes physical effects. 

Namely, those presenting with the condition lose the ability to regulate staple functions like bladder control, breathing and even bloodflow. It also impairs cognitive ability producing dementia-like effects.

ATH434 the medicine in question 

Alterity’s ATH434 is an orally taken exploratory type of drug that intends to stop the onset of MSA by blocking the ability of the body to produce a certain type of protein.

That protein, called Alpha-synuclein, is found in toxic amounts in the bodies of those with MSA due to mutation of the body’s proper functioning where too much of the protein is rapidly created. 

That, and excess iron in the blood, are textbook indications of MSA.

At this time, there is no cure for the condition. 

Want to know more? 

A number of considerations can be made about Alterity by looking at the company’s performance data, freely available on Market Index. 

Those considerations include but are not limited to: 

• Share price of 0.01c*

• Market cap of $24.1m* 

• 2.42bn ordinary shares 

• One year returns down -47.3% 

• One month returns up 11% 

• Ranked 140 of 211 healthcare companies 

• Average 4 week turnover of 1,216,375 

• Charts reveal an illiquid stock 

*As at 1310AEST Wednesday 25 January 2023

ATH's one year chart