The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and its subsidiary Anelixis Therapeutics have formed a research partnership with Neurimmune in an initiative to advance potential treatments for ALS. The research partnership will explore a human monoclonal antibody that targets misfolded superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1).
“Recent evidence would suggest that therapies targeting misfolded SOD1 could be important in both sporadic and familial forms of ALS,” said Steve Perrin, Ph.D., CEO, and CSO of ALS TDI.
The collaboration will explore antibodies developed by Neurimmune that selectively target misfolded SOD1. According to ALS TDI, chronic antibody treatment significantly reduced SOD1 pathology and rescued spinal cord motor neurons in preclinical studies with transgenic mice, resulting in significantly reduced muscle atrophy, better motor functions, and increased survival.
“Our human antibodies are directed against pathologically misfolded SOD1 and the selected lead candidate shows marked efficacy in independent ALS animal models,” said Jan Grimm, Ph.D., CSO of Neurimmune. “We believe that there is significant potential for this therapeutic approach for ALS and are enthusiastic to jointly advance the program towards clinical development together with ALS TDI.”
Tomorrow, Neurimmune will present the key findings of their approach at the International Symposium on ALS/MND Research in Milan, Italy.
