ProMIS Neurosciences announces five novel antibody products meeting ideal target profile for Alzheimer's disease

Five antibodies show ideal target binding profile in brain tissue and CSF from
Alzheimer's patients

TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - ProMIS Neurosciences ("ProMIS" or the "Company"), a company focused on discovery and development of precision treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that five of its monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutic candidates for Alzheimer's disease (AD) display the ideal product profile targeting prion-like strains of Amyloid beta (Aβ).

"Having previously identified five distinct targets (epitopes) on prion-like strains of Ab using our proprietary discovery platform, we are pleased to confirm that based on results of our validation studies we have selected five potential mAb therapeutics displaying the ideal target profile, with each mAb product directed against one of the five epitope targets previously identified," said ProMIS CSO, Dr. Neil Cashman.

Based on experimental evidence and results of prior clinical trials, an optimal mAb therapeutic should specifically bind the neurotoxic prion-like strains of Aβ; with no binding to Aβ monomers to avoid reduced efficacy due to off-target binding, and no binding to plaque to avoid the edema (brain swelling) associated with engagement of plaque. Each of the five successful mAb product candidates (and several backup candidates) demonstrated this desired target profile in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from AD patients.

"To enable final selection of products for drug development, we are now studying all five lead mAb product candidates, as well as additional backup candidates with the desired target binding profiles, to evaluate their ability to block both the neurotoxicity and propagation of prion-like strains of Aβ," commented Dr. Elliot Goldstein, ProMIS CEO. "We are encouraged by the ability of our lead mAbs to bind and detect their respective targets in CSF from AD patients, as this offers great hope for the development of precision therapeutics and companion diagnostics specific for the several, prion-like strains of Aβ implicated in AD."

About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.

The mission of ProMIS Neurosciences 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 aims to develop 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.

NATIONAL Equicom, Michael Moore, Tel. [phone], [email protected]; Abby Garfunkel, Tel. [phone], [email protected]; or contact Dr. Elliot Goldstein, President and Chief Executive Officer, ProMIS Neurosciences Inc., Tel. [phone], [email protected]