NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. (OTCBB:ILNS), a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of disease-modifying therapeutic agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases, announced today new findings on ponezumab (PF-04360365), an investigational anti-amyloid beta monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the neoepitope at the C-terminus of the peptide, published in the October 2012 edition of Current Alzheimer Research.
These new data describe the properties of a version of ponezumab in which naturally occurring sugar bound to the surface of the murine antibody was removed to improve the safety of the drug. The aglycosylated murine surrogate of ponezumab was administered by intraperitoneal injection once weekly for up to 26 weeks at doses of 0, 10, 30, or 100 mg/kg. Drug exposure and plasma amyloid beta levels increased with increasing dose. After 26 weeks, the 100mg/kg group had significantly greater plasma levels of A1-x and Ax-40 than the vehicle group (p < 0.001). There was no evidence of vasogenic edema or other drug induced pathologies.
The paper, titled, "Chronic Administration of an aglycosylated Murine Antibody of Ponezumab Does Not Worsen Microhemorrhages in Aged Tg2576 Mice," was written by Gary B. Freeman and colleagues from Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Groton, CT, USA.
Intellect recently was awarded a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that discloses therapeutic antibodies that recognize the free C-terminus of A beta 1-40 to treat Alzheimer's disease.
"We are encouraged by these data supporting our belief that antibodies targeting soluble forms of A beta can be beneficial in treating AD patients. This idea is consistent with results from the solanezumab Phase 3 clinical trials, which showed a modest but consistent clinical benefit from reducing A beta monomers in the brain. That data has positive implications for the important therapeutic potential of ponezumab, as well of Intellect's internal pipeline of A beta-specific antibodies, including 1A10 (targets the C terminus of A beta at position 40), IC3 (targets the C-terminus of A beta at position 42) and 82E1 (aka IN-N01, targets the N-terminus)," stated Daniel Chain, PhD, chairman and CEO of Intellect. "We have been granted several patents by the USPTO in relation to these antibodies any of which could be developed singly or empowered with additional neuroprotective function under our CONJUMAB platform."
Intellect Neurosciences, Inc., develops innovative approaches aimed at arresting or preventing Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases especially focused on proteinopathies. Intellect's pipeline includes therapeutic vaccines, antibodies and neuroprotective antibody drug conjugates. For more information, please visit www.intellectns.com.
The Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=14741
Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
The statements in this release and oral statements made by representatives of Intellect Neurosciences relating to matters that are not historical facts (including, without limitation, those regarding future performance or financial results, the timing or potential outcomes of research collaborations or clinical trials, any market that might develop for any of Intellect's product candidates and the sufficiency of Intellect's cash and other capital resources) are forward-‐looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the likelihood that actual performance or results could materially differ, that future research will prove successful, the likelihood that any product in the research pipeline will receive regulatory approval in the United States or abroad, or Intellect's ability to fund such efforts with or without partners. Intellect undertakes no obligation to update any of these statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-‐looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. Accordingly, any forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the additional risks and uncertainties detailed in Intellect's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Intellect's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 333-‐128226), filed on November 20, 2012.