AC Immune to Present at 2018 Society for Neurosciences Meeting
November 01 2018 - 5:01AM
Update on Therapeutic and Diagnostic Programs
Targeting TDP-43
Lausanne, Switzerland, November 1, 2018 -
AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU), a Swiss-based, clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company with a broad pipeline focused on
neurodegenerative diseases will provide updates on its product
candidates at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting 2018, taking
place in San Diego from November 3rd to 7th, 2018.
The first update will cover the wholly-owned TAR
DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) antibody program aimed to provide
novel therapeutic options for patients suffering from TDP-43
proteinopathies such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and
frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP). The second update
will be on the accompanying diagnostic program focused to deliver
positron emission tomography (PET) tracers specific for misfolded
and aggregated TDP-43, which is non-exclusively partnered with
Biogen Inc.
The oral presentation entitled "Discovery and
development of diagnostics and therapeutics for TDP-43
proteinopathies" includes data on both programs and will be
presented on November 4th during the session "Tau and TDP-43
proteinopathies" (1pm to 3.15 pm, PST; Session #188, in room SDCC
5).
About the R&D programsAC Immune is
developing therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against pathological
forms of the transactive response (TAR) DNA binding protein
(TDP-43). Misfolded TDP-43 has been identified as the major
component of pathological protein inclusions, in both ALS and
frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP). It has been shown
that pathological TDP-43 can spread from neuron to neuron as being
described for many pathological proteins in neurodegenerative
disease. This mechanism creates the opportunity to interfere with
the process through application of monoclonal antibodies. AC Immune
is using its proprietary SupraAntigenTM technology to raise a broad
panel of monoclonal antibodies targeting misfolded TDP-43 which are
currently undergoing functional evaluation. This program is
wholly-owned by AC Immune.
Complementary to a therapeutic approach, AC
Immune is developing novel PET tracers specifically targeting
pathological TDP-43 inclusions. Small molecules suitable for PET
tracer development are being derived from AC Immune's proprietary
MorphomerTM chemistry technology platform, which is designed to
interact with misfolded and aggregated proteins. Promising small
molecule hits have been identified by binding assays using patient
-derived TDP-43 aggregates. The ability to precisely diagnose FTLD
and other TDP-43 proteinopathies and therefore treat patients
earlier and more accurately is critical to disease management that
uses novel therapeutic approaches. This collaboration with Biogen
Inc. was established in April 2016; it is non-exclusive, and AC
Immune retains intellectual property and commercialization
rights.
About TDP-43TDP-43 (TAR DNA binding
protein 43) is a new target in the area of neurodegenerative
diseases. Misfolded, aggregated TDP-43 is found in diseases such as
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD),
chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Huntington's disease. There is
growing body of evidence that the pathological aggregation of
TDP-43 protein also plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease.
The link of clinical features and spread of pathological TDP-43 is
associated with a multitude of neurodegenerative diseases including
Alzheimer's disease and make misfolded TDP-43 a promising target
for our antibody program.
About TDP-43-PET tracers A brain Positron
Emission Tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test of the brain
involving an imaging device and an imaging agent called a PET
tracer. No TDP-43-PET tracer has received regulatory approval for
commercial distribution, which represents an important medical need
to diagnose precisely patients suffering from TDP-43
proteinopathies such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and
frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Once the TDP43-PET tracer
is introduced to the body, it transiently enters the brain and
binds to abnormal TDP-43 inclusions. Through the radiotracer on the
tracer molecule, the imaging device detects the TDP-43 imaging
agent and creates pictures reflecting the amount and distribution
of misfolded TDP-43 in the brain.
About AC ImmuneAC Immune is a
clinical-stage Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company, listed on
NASDAQ, which aims to become a global leader in precision medicine
for neurodegenerative diseases. The Company designs, discovers and
develops therapeutic as well as diagnostic products intended to
prevent and modify diseases caused by misfolding proteins. AC
Immune's two proprietary technology platforms create antibodies,
small molecules and vaccines designed to address a broad spectrum
of neurodegenerative indications, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD)
and Parkinson's disease. The Company's pipeline features nine
therapeutic and three diagnostic product candidates - with five
product candidates currently in clinical trials. The most advanced
of these is crenezumab, a humanized anti-amyloid-ß monoclonal IgG4
antibody that targets monomeric and aggregated forms of amyloid-ß,
with the highest affinity for neurotoxic oligomers. Crenezumab is
currently in two Phase 3 clinical studies for AD, under a global
program conducted by the collaboration partner Genentech (a member
of the Roche group). Other collaborations include Biogen, Janssen
Pharmaceuticals, Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Life
Molecular Imaging and Essex Bio-Technology.
Forward looking statements This press
release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical
fact and may include statements that address future operating,
financial or business performance or AC Immune's strategies or
expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by
forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should,"
"expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates,"
"predicts," "projects," "potential," "outlook" or "continue," and
other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based
on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve
significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results, developments and business decisions to differ materially
from those contemplated by these statements. These risks and
uncertainties include those described under the captions "Item 3.
Key Information-Risk Factors" and "Item 5. Operating and Financial
Review and Prospects" in AC Immune's Annual Report on Form 20-F and
other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made,
and AC Immune does not undertake any obligation to update them in
light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except
as may be required under applicable law. All forward-looking
statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary
statement.
For further information, please
contact:
In EuropeBeatrix BenzAC Immune Corporate Communications
Phone: +41 21 345 91 34E-mail: beatrix.benz@acimmune.com |
In the USLisa SherAC Immune Investor Relations Phone: +1 970
987 26 54E-mail: lisa.sher@acimmune.com |
Nick Miles/Toomas KullCabinet Privé de Conseils s.a.Phone: +41 22
552 46 46 E-mail: miles@cpc-pr.com kull@cpc-pr.com |
Ted AgneThe Communications Strategy Group Inc.Phone: +1 781 631
3117E-mail: edagne@comstratgroup.com |
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