- Increasing evidence points to Abeta oligomers as the toxic
species in AD, and likely linked to Tau pathology and
neuroinflammation.
- Immunotherapies and small molecule anti-Tau therapeutics
hold much promise in treating AD and neurodegenerative orphan
indications.
- Additional misfolded proteins, alpha-synuclein and TDP-43
exist alongside Beta-amyloid and Tau as concomitant pathologies,
suggesting precision medicine approaches are required for treating
AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Lausanne, Switzerland, November 9, 2018 -
AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU), a Swiss-based, clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company with a broad pipeline focused on
neurodegenerative diseases, shared top level insights from its Key
Opinion Leader (KOL) luncheon meeting on Abeta oligomers and
concomitant proteinopathies in AD and other neurodegenerative
diseases, which took place on November 5, 2018, in New York
City.
The meeting featured presentations by Professor
Michael W. Weiner, University of California San Francisco School of
Medicine and Professor John Q. Trojanowski, Perelman School of
Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.
Professor Weiner reviewed current understanding
of the amyloid hypothesis of AD, emphasizing the key role Abeta
oligomers as the most toxic species in the amyloid cascade, and
which produce various downstream effects possibly involved in tau
pathology and neuroinflammation. In regard to tau, Professor Weiner
highlighted the excitement around antibody, vaccine and small
molecule anti-tau therapeutics currently in clinical trials and
development. Finally Professor Weiner explained the importance of
diagnostics for early intervention in AD, and reviewed progress in
brain PET imaging as well as molecular biomarkers in brain fluid
and blood.
Professor Weiner remarked: "Alzheimer's Disease
can be thought of as an amyloid induced tauopathy, and therefore
therapeutics targeting amyloid and tau hold much promise in finding
a cure for this devastating disease. Imaging and biomarker
diagnostics, particularly blood tests, will facilitate early
treatment and improved clinical outcomes.''
Professor Trojanowski highlighted the existence
of concomitant pathologies in a wide range of neurodegenerative
diseases, emphasizing the importance of alpha-synuclein and TDP-43,
in addition to Beta-amyloid and tau. These discoveries point to the
future importance of precision medicine, involving therapeutics
targeting the pathological proteins relevant to an individual
patients and stage of disease.
Professor Trojanowski commented: "It is becoming
clearer that clinical trial participants may be better defined by
their various proteinopathies and that patient sub-classification
may lead to improved clinical outcomes. The high prevalence of
co-pathologies in neurodegenerative diseases, as well variation
between individuals, indicates that diagnostics and combination
therapy may be the ultimate requirement."
Following the KOL presentations, Prof. Andrea
Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune, gave an overview of the Company's
pipeline and strategy to be a leader in precision medicine in
neurodegenerative diseases. The Company has nine products in
various stages of clinical development and a sustainable pipeline
of pre-clinical assets addressing key targets in AD and
neurodegenerative diseases.
Professor Andrea Pfeifer commented: "We're
starting to see a clearer and more important need for precision
medicine with the prevalence of co-pathology in AD, Parkinson's and
other neurodegenerative diseases. Our current therapeutic and
diagnostic pipeline forms the basis of our forward strategy to
become a leader in precision medicine as applied to AD and other
neurodegenerative diseases."
A replay of the event is available on the
Investor page of AC Immune's website.
KOL Biographies
Michael W. Weiner M.D.Professor,
Department of RadiologyUniversity of California San Francisco
School of Medicine
Dr. Weiner is Professor in Residence in
Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Medicine, Psychiatry, and
Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco. He is
Principle Investigator of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging
Initiative, which is the largest observational study in the world
concerning Alzheimer's Disease. He is the former Director of the
Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIND) at the San
Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. During the past 25 years
he has worked to develop and optimized the use of MRI, PET, and
blood based biomarker methods to diagnose Alzheimer's disease and
other neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Weiner's research also
focuses on monitoring effects of treatment to slow progressions in
Alzheimer's disease, and detecting Alzheimer's disease early in
patients who are not demented, but risk subsequent development of
dementia.
John Q. Trojanowski M.D.,
Ph.D.Co-Director Center for Neurodegenerative ResearchPerelman
School of MedicineUniversity of Pennsylvania
Dr. Trojanowski obtained his MD/PhD in 1976 from
Tufts University, did his internal medicine internship at Mt.
Auburn Hospital, his pathology and neuropathology at Massachusetts
General Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School
of Medicine where he joined the faculty in 1981. He is Professor of
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Director of the NIA Alzheimer's
Disease Center, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
(NINDS) Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Center, and the
Institute on Aging. His research focuses on Alzheimer's (AD) and
Parkinson's (PD) disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) which led to the discovery of the
major disease proteins in these disorders.
About AC Immune AC 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).
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
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 Roche/Genentech. Other
collaborations include Biogen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Nestlé
Institute of Health Sciences, Life Molecular Imaging (formerly
Piramal 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 RelationsPhone: +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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