NEW YORK, June 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Seelos
Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEEL), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies
for central nervous system disorders and rare diseases, today
announced the initiation of a preclinical study of SLS-007 in
Parkinson's disease (PD) delivered through an adeno associated
viral (AAV) vector targeting the non-amyloid component core
(NACore) of alpha synuclein (α-synuclein).
Seelos has initiated an in vivo preclinical study of SLS-007 in
rodents to assess the ability of two specific novel peptides, S62
and S71, delivered via AAV1/2 viral vector, to protect dopaminergic
function in the preformed α-synuclein fibril (PFF) rodent model of
PD. Production of AAV1/2 vectors encoding each of the two
novel peptides incorporating hemagglutinin (HA) tags has already
been completed.
This preclinical study is designed to establish the in vivo
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles and target engagement
parameters of SLS-007. Top-line data is currently expected in late
2020/early 2021.
"In in vitro models, halting or slowing the aggregation of alpha
synuclein dramatically slowed the formation of Lewy Bodies which
are the hallmarks of the pathogenesis of Parkinson's," said Raj
Mehra, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Seelos. "This program should
complement SLS-004 in which we also recently began
studies."
SLS-007 is a family of rationally designed peptidic inhibitors
which target the NACore of α-synuclein to inhibit protein
aggregation in patients with PD. This central segment of
α-synuclein termed NACore, that is comprised of residues 68-78, has
a critical role in the aggregation and cytotoxicity of α-synuclein.
Overexpression of α-synuclein leads to the formation of α-synuclein
aggregates which comprise Lewy bodies and neurites which are the
hallmarks of the pathogenesis of PD. Recent in vitro and cell
culture research have shown that SLS-007 has the potential to stop
the propagation and seeding of α-synuclein aggregates.
About Alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein)
Alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) is a protein which is of great
interest to Parkinson's researchers because it is a major
constituent of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, protein clumps that
are the pathological hallmark of synucleinopathies, such as PD,
dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).
In the several years since its discovery, α-synuclein has been the
focus of intensive efforts by PD researchers working to
definitively characterize the protein's role in Parkinson's and its
potential as a target for neuroprotective therapies.
In 2017, The Michael J. Fox Foundation convened leaders from
academia and industry to form the Alpha-Synuclein Clinical Path
Working Group. The group's goal was to lay out a roadmap to advance
drugs targeting alpha-synuclein proteins and increase their odds of
success.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/roadmap-alpha-synuclein
Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this press release, which are not
historical in nature, constitute forward-looking statements for
purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among
others, those regarding the initiation and completion of the
preclinical study of SLS-007, expectations regarding the ability of
novel peptides S62 and S71, delivered via AAV1/2 viral vector, to
protect dopaminergic function in the preformed α-synuclein fibril
(PFF) rodent model of PD, expectations regarding the results of the
study, including the establishment of the in vivo pharmacokinetic
and pharmacodynamics profiles and target engagement parameters of
SLS-007, the expected timing for releasing top-line data regarding
the study and the ability of SLS-007 to complement SLS-004. These
statements are based on Seelos' current expectations and beliefs
and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those described in
the forward-looking statements. Risks associated to Seelos'
business include, but are not limited to, the risk of not
successfully executing its preclinical and clinical studies and not
gaining marketing approvals for its product candidates, the risks
associated with the implementation of a new business strategy, the
risks related to raising capital to fund its development plans and
ongoing operations, risks related to Seelos' current stock price,
risks related to the global impact of COVID-19, as well as other
factors expressed in Seelos' periodic filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on
Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Although we
believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking
statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations
will prove correct. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date hereof, even if subsequently made available by us on our
website or otherwise. We do not undertake any obligation to update,
amend or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
may be required under applicable securities laws.
Contact Information:
Anthony Marciano
Head of Corporate Communications
Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEEL)
300 Park Ave., 12th Fl
New York, NY 10022
(646) 293-2136
anthony.marciano@seelostx.com
https://seelostherapeutics.com/
https://twitter.com/seelostx
https://www.linkedin.com/company/seelos
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SOURCE Seelos Therapeutics, Inc.