PMN ProMIS Neurosciences Inc

Antibodies show highly selective binding to pathogenic forms of alpha-synuclein implicated in multiple system atrophy

TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, MA, Oct. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - 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, has identified several novel antibody candidates for Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a severe, Parkinson's-like disease caused by toxic, misfolded forms of the protein alpha-synuclein. The new antibody candidates join ProMIS' strong pipeline of antibodies that demonstrate high selectivity for toxic misfolded proteins, implicated as a root cause of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Our preclinical in vitro studies indicate that antibody candidates targeting toxic forms of alpha-synuclein bind strongly to toxic alpha-synuclein aggregates derived from MSA-affected brain. The same antibodies protect cultured neurons from alpha-synuclein toxicity and spreading (propagation).  

MSA is a rare, progressive disorder caused by loss of nerve cells in the brain; it affects approximately 15,000 people in the United States. Scientific studies indicate that toxic oligomers and small soluble fibrils, derived from naturally occurring alpha-synuclein, are a root cause of disease development and progression in MSA. No disease-modifying treatments exist in part because traditional drug development methods are unable to generate antibodies that can target with precision the neurotoxic forms of alpha-synuclein. The ProMIS platform is a novel, proprietary method for discovering and developing antibodies that can uniquely and precisely target highly toxic misfolded proteins, also called toxic oligomers or prions, while preserving normal forms of the protein and normal protein function. The platform not only generates high-quality antibody candidates but also delivers powerful, validated candidates in months versus years.

"Once again, the ProMIS platform has demonstrated its unique ability to generate antibody candidates with the desired selectivity for toxic misfolded proteins and do so rapidly and cost-effectively," said Johanne Kaplan, Chief Development Officer at ProMIS Neurosciences. "As new biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases continue to emerge, the opportunity to advance—with confidence—potential therapies for these diseases is unprecedented. We'll continue to strengthen our existing programs, while continuing to discover and develop root cause therapies for the many protein misfolding diseases that have stymied the drug development community for decades."

ProMIS' new antibody candidates for MSA join a robust pipeline of antibody candidates that demonstrate selectivity for the toxic species arising from naturally occurring proteins in the brain. The pipeline includes:

Alzheimer's disease:

Parkinson's disease

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

To learn more about MSA, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, new research supporting therapy development and the promise of new biomarkers, listen to the podcast, Saving Minds, at iTunes or Spotify.

About ProMIS Neurosciences
ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. is a development stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing antibody therapeutics selectively targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The Company's proprietary target discovery platform is based on the use of two complementary thermodynamic, computational discovery engines -ProMIS and Collective Coordinates – to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique precision approach, the Company is developing novel antibody therapeutics for AD, ALS and PD. ProMIS is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ProMIS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PMN, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol ARFXF.

Visit us at www.promisneurosciences.com, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information release contains certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.