ProMIS Neurosciences Showcases Novel Vaccine Approach for Maximal Targeting of Toxic Amyloid-Beta Oligomers at the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference

Rhea-AI Summary

ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. (Nasdaq: PMN) presented preclinical data at the 2024 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) supporting their novel approach to optimizing an Alzheimer's disease (AD) vaccine. The company's proprietary computational platform identified four AβO-restricted conformational B cell epitopes as vaccine candidates. Vaccination with these epitopes produced strong antibody responses without measurable pro-inflammatory T cell responses against Aβ. Notably, immunization with epitope 301, the target of PMN310, alone was sufficient to produce maximal reactivity against brain AβO.

The study suggests that ProMIS' approach could potentially lead to an AD vaccine capable of inducing an effective antibody response against pathogenic Aβ. This vaccine could be administered as a preventative measure to at-risk individuals or given therapeutically to diagnosed patients to inhibit AD progression.

Positive

• Preclinical data showed strong antibody responses against AβO without pro-inflammatory T cell responses
• Immunization with epitope 301 alone produced maximal reactivity against brain AβO
• Potential for developing a preventative or therapeutic AD vaccine

Negative

• None.

Medical Research Analyst

As a Medical Research Analyst, I find ProMIS Neurosciences' preclinical data on their novel Alzheimer's disease (AD) vaccine approach intriguing, yet it's important to maintain a measured perspective. The company's focus on targeting toxic amyloid-beta oligomers (AβO) aligns with current research trends in AD therapeutics. However, we must remember that many promising preclinical results in AD research have failed to translate into clinical success.

The key points that stand out are:

• The vaccine produced strong antibody responses without measurable pro-inflammatory T cell responses against Aβ, which could potentially reduce the risk of adverse effects seen in some previous AD vaccine attempts.
• Immunization with epitope 301, the target of PMN310, showed maximal reactivity against brain AβO, suggesting a focused approach that could enhance efficacy.
• The potential for preventative use in at-risk individuals is an interesting angle, though it would require extensive long-term studies to validate.

While these results are encouraging, it's important to note that this is still preclinical data. The path from preclinical success to an approved therapy is long and fraught with challenges, especially in AD research. Investors should be cautious about overinterpreting these early results and wait for human trial data to better assess the potential of this approach.

Biotechnology Industry Analyst

From a biotechnology industry perspective, ProMIS Neurosciences' approach to Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment is noteworthy for several reasons:

• The company's proprietary computational platform for identifying AβO-restricted conformational B cell epitopes represents a unique technological advantage in the crowded AD research space.
• The focus on soluble toxic oligomers rather than insoluble fibrils aligns with emerging research trends, potentially positioning ProMIS ahead of competitors still targeting traditional amyloid plaques.
• The ex vivo approach for selecting optimal vaccine configuration could streamline the development process, potentially saving time and resources in future clinical trials.

However, it's important to contextualize this within the broader AD treatment landscape. Many companies have presented promising preclinical data only to face setbacks in human trials. The recent approval of Leqembi (lecanemab) has renewed interest in amyloid-targeting therapies, but the bar for success remains high.

For investors, while this news is positive, it's important to remember that ProMIS is still in the preclinical stage for this vaccine approach. The company's market position will depend heavily on how these results translate to human trials and how quickly they can progress through the clinical development stages. The potential for both therapeutic and preventative applications could expand the market opportunity, but also increases the complexity and duration of required clinical trials.

Preclinical data showed strong antibody responses with no measurable pro-inflammatory T cell responses against AßO and support novel approach for potential Alzheimer’s disease vaccine

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts and TORONTO, Ontario, July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. (Nasdaq: PMN), a biotechnology company focused on the generation and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), presented preclinical data at the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) that further supports the potential therapeutic advantage of the Company’s novel approach to optimization of an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) vaccine for maximum targeting of toxic amyloid-beta oligomers (AβO).

A large body of evidence indicates that the most pathogenic species of amyloid-beta (Aß) in AD consist of soluble toxic oligomers as opposed to insoluble fibrils and monomers. ProMIS’ proprietary computational platform identified four different AßO-restricted conformational B cell epitopes as vaccine candidates. Additionally, the Company’s novel ex vivo approach selected an optimal vaccine configuration to provide maximal binding to a toxic oligomer-enriched low molecular weight fraction of soluble AD brain extracts.

The results from the study showed that vaccination with AßO-restricted conformational B cell epitopes produced strong antibody responses with no measurable pro-inflammatory T cell responses against Aß. Importantly, immunization with epitope 301, the target of PMN310, alone was sufficient to produce maximal reactivity against brain AßO.

“The new data presented at the AAIC conference and the increasingly recognized benefit of targeting oligomers of Aβ underscores the potential advantage of our PMN310 antibody and AβO vaccine candidates,” stated Neil R. Cashman, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of ProMIS Neurosciences and an author on the paper. “These data are particularly encouraging as an AD vaccine capable of inducing an effective antibody response against pathogenic Aβ, as seen in these preclinical data, could potentially be administered as a preventative measure to at-risk individuals to prevent the development of symptomatic disease or given therapeutically to diagnosed patients to inhibit the progression of AD.”

Details of the poster presentation are as follows:

Poster Title: Novel approach to optimization of Alzheimer’s vaccine configuration for maximal targeting of toxic amyloid-beta oligomers
Poster Number: 86601
Date and Time of Presentation: Monday, July 29, 2024 from 7:30 am – 4:15 pm EDT
Session: Drug Development
Authors: Johanne Kaplan, Ebrima Gibbs, Scott Napper, Erin Scruten, Juliane Coutts, Neil R. Cashman

The poster presentation is available on the Posters and Publications page of the Company’s website at www.promisneurosciences.com.

About ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.

ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on generating and developing antibody therapeutics selectively targeting toxic misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). The Company’s proprietary target discovery engine applies a thermodynamic, computational discovery platform - ProMIS™ and Collective Coordinates - to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique approach, the Company is developing novel antibody therapeutics for AD, ALS and MSA. ProMIS has offices in Toronto, Ontario and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, ‎‎“forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the ‎use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “excited to”, “targets”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “an opportunity exists”, ‎‎“is positioned”, “estimates”, “intends”, “assumes”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or variations of such words and ‎phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be ‎achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or ‎circumstances contain forward-looking information. Specifically, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to the Company’s novel vaccine approach for maximal targeting of toxic amyloid-beta oligomers and the potential implications thereof, the Company's expectations regarding its clinical development of its lead product, PMN310, for AD, and the Company’s plans to advance into a Phase 1b multiple ascending dose study in AD patients. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's current ‎expectations, estimates and projections regarding the future of our business, future plans, strategies, projections, anticipated events ‎and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to ‎known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, ‎performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, the risk that the results of nonclinical studies and early clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future results with PMN310, the Company’s ability to fund its operations and continue as a going concern, its accumulated deficit and the expectation for continued losses and future financial results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking information include, among others, the factors discussed throughout the “Risk Factors” section of the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in its subsequent filings filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking information, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

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FAQ

What did ProMIS Neurosciences (PMN) present at the 2024 AAIC?

ProMIS Neurosciences presented preclinical data supporting their novel approach to optimizing an Alzheimer's disease vaccine for maximum targeting of toxic amyloid-beta oligomers (AβO).

What were the key findings of ProMIS Neurosciences' (PMN) preclinical study presented at AAIC 2024?

The study showed that vaccination with AβO-restricted conformational B cell epitopes produced strong antibody responses without measurable pro-inflammatory T cell responses against Aβ. Immunization with epitope 301 alone was sufficient to produce maximal reactivity against brain AβO.

How could ProMIS Neurosciences' (PMN) potential Alzheimer's vaccine be used according to the 2024 AAIC presentation?

The potential vaccine could be administered as a preventative measure to at-risk individuals to prevent the development of symptomatic Alzheimer's disease or given therapeutically to diagnosed patients to inhibit disease progression.