Coya 302: A New Approach to Neurodegeneration
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The Problem: Why Current Treatments Fall Short
Neurodegeneration—including ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)—happens when nerve cells die faster than the body can protect them. Most current ALS medicines slow this loss a little, but they don’t stop it. And for many people with ALS or FTD, available options are limited or ineffective.
A growing body of research suggests inflammation plays a central role in nerve cell death. Previous approaches to address inflammation have targeted one part of the immune response, but neurodegeneration involves multiple, interconnected processes. That’s why Coya took a different approach.
The Science: Restoring Regulatory T Cells (Tregs)
At the heart of Coya’s strategy is a type of immune cell called a regulatory T cell, or Treg.
Tregs are the immune system’s peacemakers. They calm down harmful inflammation and protect nerve cells from damage. In people with ALS and FTD—whether the disease runs in the family or not—Tregs don’t work as well, and in ALS there are fewer of them.
Coya 302 was designed to restore Tregs and make them work better. It does this by combining two therapies that attack the problem from two directions:
Low-dose IL-2 helps grow the number of Tregs and enhances their function.
Abatacept works differently: it dampens the overactive immune cells that are driving harmful inflammation, allowing Tregs to do their job more effectively.
This two-pronged approach is important. Earlier research tested low-dose IL-2 by itself and showed limited benefit. Coya 302 addresses inflammation from multiple angles at once, which is why it has the potential to slow progression in ways single-target therapies cannot.
Why This Approach Matters for Multiple Diseases
The science of Tregs and inflammation isn’t unique to one disease. Immune dysregulation happens in both ALS and FTD. This is why Coya is testing Coya 302 in trials across both conditions—the underlying biology is similar, even though the diseases affect different brain regions and present differently.
Targeting immune dysfunction and inflammation, rather than symptoms, makes it possible to address multiple neurodegenerative diseases with the same treatment.
Clinical Trials: Testing the Theory
Coya 302 is currently being tested in clinical trials designed to answer a straightforward question: can restoring Tregs slow the loss of function in people living with neurodegeneration?
ALSTARS (Enrollment Complete)
ALSTARS is a Phase 2 study in adults with ALS, whether inherited or sporadic. Participants receive Coya 302 or a placebo as a small injection under the skin. The study measures whether Coya 302 slows the rate at which ALS progresses.
FTD Trial (Starting in 2027)
Coya has received an IND (Investigational New Drug) approval to test Coya 302 in FTD. This trial will apply the same Treg-restoration science to a different neurodegenerative disease. Check back at https://trials.coyatherapeutics.com for updates on when enrollment opens.
Five Things That Surprise People
You don’t have to stop your current medicine. Riluzole, edaravone, tofersen, and other standard medications are allowed in the ALS trial. Supplements and supportive medications are allowed in both Coya trials, as long as your dose has been steady and stays steady.
Both Inherited and non-inherited disease patients can participate. Coya trials don’t sort people by genetics. You don’t need genetic testing to take part.
Trial eligibility varies—and it’s worth asking. Each trial has its own entry criteria. Being turned down for another study doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for a Coya trial. Only a study site can tell you whether you’re eligible.
Clinical trials compare treatments to placebo for good reason. This is how we know whether a drug actually works. In Coya trials, roughly one in three participants receive placebo. This design protects the integrity of the data and ensures we get a real answer.
Joining a trial is not the same as getting the drug immediately. Trials are research studies designed to answer scientific questions. If you’re interested in participating, talk to a study coordinator about what to expect and how long the commitment is.
How to Learn If You Might Be a Candidate
No article or online forum can tell you whether you qualify for a Coya trial. Only a study site can make that determination, and it usually takes one email and/or phone call.
A study coordinator will walk through the eligibility questions with you. If something temporarily rules you out—such as an active infection or a lab value that could change—ask whether you can reapply later.
If you have ALS or FTD and are interested in learning more about Coya’s clinical trials, including locations, trial details, and eligibility criteria, visit:
https://trials.coyatherapeutics.com
About Coya Therapeutics
Coya Therapeutics is developing treatments that target the immune dysfunction underlying neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and FTD. Our goal is to slow progression and restore function for people living with these conditions.
