ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. issued the following announcement on Nov. 6.
ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, issued a narrated scientific white paper titled: “The critical importance of selectivity when developing antibody therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.” The white paper highlights the lessons learned from more than 15 years of drug development for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and why selectively targeting its root cause, now understood to be the toxic oligomer, is the most promising therapeutic approach. The presentation is available on the company’s website at https://bit.ly/2zpPtpq
In this presentation, Dr. James Kupiec, ProMIS Chief Medical Officer, discusses why selectively targeting toxic oligomers (known as pathologic, misfolded proteins) is critical when developing medicines for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Dr. Kupiec outlines why PMN310, ProMIS’ next-generation antibody, has the potential to become a best-in-class therapy among antibody treatments for AD. The paper also discusses design considerations for ProMIS’ first clinical trial with PMN310, highlighting the use of novel biomarkers to capture potential early signs of efficacy of PMN310.
“Over the last dozen years, scientists across the Alzheimer’s disease research community have come to recognize that it is the toxic oligomer form of amyloid beta (Aβ), and not the other forms such as Aβ monomers and plaque, that initiates the process of brain cell death in Alzheimer’s, ultimately leading to the symptoms associated with this devastating disease”, commented Dr. Kupiec. “Recent scientific data indicate that a best-in-class antibody therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease should target toxic oligomers without binding to non-toxic forms of Aβ.”
Results of preclinical evaluations clearly indicate PMN310 strongly and preferentially binds the toxic oligomers from humans with Alzheimer’s disease, and it is therefore highly selective. Contrary to current antibody candidates in development, PMN310 as designed does not bind to Aβ monomers nor plaques or vascular deposits of amyloid.
“Owing to its highly selective binding to toxic oligomers, we do not anticipate observing a dose-limiting side effect such as brain swelling; and because of its unique selectivity, therapeutic doses would not be wasted on superfluous targets. Accordingly, we hope to demonstrate a greater clinical benefit than other Aβ-directed antibodies currently showing encouraging results in clinical trials”, stated Dr. Kupiec.
Potential partners and members of the Alzheimer’s disease community can access both the narrated white paper and a written transcript directly on the ProMIS Neurosciences website or at https://bit.ly/2zpPtpq
Original source can be found here.
