Company files United States patent application for novel epitope target
identified on misfolded forms of the protein TDP43
TSX: PMN
TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, MA, May 31,
2017 /CNW/ - ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of precision
treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the identification of a novel therapeutic epitope target on misfolded
forms of TDP43, implicated in the development and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia
(FTD). The Company filed a provisional patent application for this target with the United States Patent Office on May 30, 2017.
Commenting on today's announcement, Dr. Neil Cashman, ProMIS Chief Scientific Officer, stated:
"Using our proprietary discovery engine, scientists at UBC and ProMIS identified both the sequence and conformational shape of
this novel epitope target on misfolded TDP43 that plays a key role in ALS and frontotemporal dementia."
TDP43 is present in every cell, and plays a critical role in the response of cells to oxidative stress. However, in ALS, FTD
and other neurodegenerative diseases, TDP43 can lose its normal function, forming intracellular aggregates of misfolded TDP43
that disrupt cellular energy generation and normal protein degradation.
"Our goal is to selectively target misfolded TDP43 without disrupting the critical role that normally-folded TDP43 plays in
cell biology," stated Dr. Elliot Goldstein, ProMIS President and
CEO. "We plan to create and validate monoclonal antibodies against misfolded TDP43 to select optimal therapeutic candidates for
advancement into the clinic."
Pursuant to its expanded license agreement with the University of British Columbia, ProMIS holds
exclusive, worldwide license to this novel therapeutic target.
About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.
ProMIS Neurosciences is a TSX listed biotech company (trading symbol: PMN.TO), headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The mission
of ProMIS is to discover and develop precision medicine therapeutics for effective treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, in
particular Alzheimer's disease and ALS.
ProMIS Neurosciences' proprietary target discovery engine is based on the use of two, complementary techniques. The Company
applies its thermodynamic, computational discovery platform—ProMIS™ and Collective Coordinates — to predict novel
targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes (DSEs) on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique "precision
medicine" approach, ProMIS Neurosciences is developing novel antibody therapeutics and specific companion diagnostics for
Alzheimer's disease and ALS. The company has also developed two proprietary technologies to specifically identify very low levels
of misfolded proteins in a biological sample. In addition, ProMIS Neurosciences owns a portfolio of therapeutic and diagnostic
patents relating to misfolded SOD1 in ALS, and currently has a preclinical monoclonal antibody therapeutic against this
target.
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information
release may contain certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by
statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All
forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently
available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties
identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The
Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
For further information please consult the Company's website at:
www.promisneurosciences.com
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SOURCE ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2017/31/c7771.html