New Zealand subsidiary to accelerate ALS trials

PLL Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing a polypeptide delivery platform for neurodegenerative diseases, has launched a New Zealand subsidiary to support its phase II clinical trial targeting ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The move follows the company’s Australian expansion and marks a strategic push in the Asia-Pacific region to bring innovative treatments to patients faster.

The New Zealand subsidiary will enable enrolment of local ALS patients in the phase II trial at the Pacific Clinical Research Network, with initial plans to recruit 12 participants. The initiative also lays the groundwork for potential ‘compassionate use’ programs, offering access to experimental therapies in a country where ALS incidence is higher than the global average — approximately 3 in every 100,000 people.

“New Zealand’s supportive regulatory environment and robust healthcare system make it an ideal partner in our mission to bring cutting-edge ALS therapies to patients in need,” said Jean-Pascal Zambaux, CEO of PLL Therapeutics.

The phase II trial will test PLL001, a drug candidate using poly-L-lysine to target inflammation, restore gut and blood-brain barrier integrity, and potentially slow ALS progression. The study builds on a recently completed phase I trial in Australia, which demonstrated that PLL001 was safe and well-tolerated.

David Tudor Phillips, Director of PLL Tx New Zealand, will oversee operations and leverage streamlined regulatory pathways to accelerate trial implementation. The subsidiary ensures that New Zealanders with ALS can participate in pioneering research despite geographical isolation, bridging a critical gap in clinical access.

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