AC Immune Awarded Third Follow-up Grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for First-in-Human Study of a Positron Emission To...
November 15 2018 - 4:01AM
- Grant supports next step in development of potentially first
alpha-synuclein PET tracer for Parkinson's disease
- Start of first-in-human study of current lead is scheduled
for Q1 2019
- Follow-up grant marks longstanding collaboration with The
Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF)
Lausanne, Switzerland, November 15, 2018
- AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU), a Swiss-based, clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company with a broad pipeline focused on
neurodegenerative diseases, today announced it has been awarded a
follow-up grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's
Research (MJFF). In 2015 AC°Immune received a research grant from
the MJFF to support the development of a Parkinson's-specific
diagnostic agent. Following a grant extension in 2017, the new
grant is an acknowledgement of the progress AC Immune has made in
this program. This grant aims to facilitate the execution of a
first-in-human study for a potential alpha-synuclein PET tracer
with the current lead compound. The study will commence in Q1 of
2019. The amount of the grant has not been disclosed.
Prof. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune,
said: "We are honored to receive, for the third time, funding from
the prestigious Michael J. Fox Foundation underlining our
collaboration and dedication to find earlier and more accurate
tools for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. This new follow-up
grant further validates AC°Immune's leading expertise in the
pathology of misfolded proteins and our vision to become a global
leader in precision medicine of neurodegenerative diseases."
Jamie Eberling, PhD, Director of Research
Programs at MJFF, commented: "Development of a selective
alpha-synuclein PET tracer would allow for earlier diagnosis and
disease tracking. And it could transform drug development, offering
an objective and efficient outcome measure to evaluate
disease-modifying therapies, which remain the greatest unmet need
of the millions living with Parkinson's disease. This
first-in-human study is a major milestone toward that goal."
This potentially first PET tracer was discovered
using the company's proprietary MorphomerTM chemistry technology
platform. AC Immune has been successfully collaborating on this
program with Biogen since April 2016. The companies will continue
to further research, develop and clinically validate this
alpha-synuclein PET tracer as an imaging biomarker for Parkinson's
disease. Alongside diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, an
alpha-synuclein PET tracer would further facilitate the clinical
development of new disease-modifying therapies.
About the R&D program An
alpha-synuclein PET tracer would allow diagnosis of Parkinson's
disease earlier and more accurately. This technology would have
multiple advantages including direct detection of alpha-synuclein
pathology in patients and the capacity to monitor the efficacy of
therapeutics reducing alpha-synuclein aggregates in clinical
trials. AC Immune's proprietary MorphomerTM chemistry technology
platform is designed to interact with misfolded and aggregated
proteins. Promising small molecules have been identified with good
selectivity for alpha-synuclein over other proteinaceous
pathologies (i.e., amyloid-beta, etc.) and suitable
pharmacokinetics for the development as PET ligands. The ability to
precisely diagnose Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies
would allow for treating patients earlier and more accurately,
which is critical to disease management. This collaboration with
Biogen is non-exclusive, and AC Immune retains intellectual
property and commercialization rights.
About alpha-synuclein 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 alpha-synuclein PET tracer has received regulatory
approval for commercial distribution, which represents an important
medical need, not only in Parkinson's disease but also in other
synucleinopathies such as dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple
system atrophy. Once the alpha-synuclein PET tracer is introduced
to the body, it transiently enters the brain and binds to abnormal
alpha-synuclein protein structures (Lewy bodies, Lewy neurites,
etc.). Through the radiotracer on the molecule, the imaging device
detects the location of the bound alpha-synuclein imaging agent and
creates pictures reflecting the amount and distribution of
pathological alpha-synuclein in the brain.
About Parkinson's diseaseParkinson's
disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after
Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease affects approximately 1%
of individuals older than 60 years and causes progressive
disability (motor and non-motor symptoms). Current therapies only
treat the symptoms of Parkinson's; there is no available treatment
that can slow or halt disease progression. The two major
neuropathological findings in Parkinson's disease are loss of
dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and the
presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites in which the major
constituent is alpha-synuclein. The abnormal accumulations of
aggregated alpha-synuclein in Lewy bodies, and mutations in the
gene for alpha-synuclein in familial forms of Parkinson's disease,
have led to the belief that this protein has a central role in
Parkinson's disease. The development of alpha-synuclein pathology
appears to correlate with the loss of dopaminergic neurons and
subsequent decline in motor performance, making it a highly
relevant molecular target for diagnostic approaches.
About The Michael J. Fox FoundationAs the
world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The
Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for
Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with
the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an
aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with
active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients,
business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and
volunteers. In addition to funding more than $800 million in
research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the
trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of
worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges
groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic
scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of
participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its
online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness
through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates
the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around
the world.
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).
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 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 |
AC Immune (NASDAQ:ACIU)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
AC Immune (NASDAQ:ACIU)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024