ProMIS Neurosciences announces identification of a second novel therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease

Novel target is second in a series of potential targets on strains of misfolded Amyloid beta, implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimer's

TSX: PMN

TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - ProMIS Neurosciences is currently in the process of identifying and validating a series of potential targets (epitopes) specific to misfolded, propagating strains of Amyloid beta involved in Alzheimer's disease. The Company plans to use these targets to create specific monoclonal antibody therapeutics for Alzheimer's.

Following on from the first misfolded Amyloid beta target announced on Nov. 12, 2015, the Company is pleased to announce the identification of a second, distinct epitope on misfolded strains of Amyloid beta. Pursuant to its expanded license agreement with the University of British Columbia, as announced on Oct. 8, 2015, ProMIS Neurosciences has acquired an exclusive, worldwide license to this additional novel Alzheimer's disease target. A provisional patent application for this target was submitted to the United States Patent Office on February 1, 2016.

The Company applied its unique, proprietary discovery platform to identify the presence of this second novel target (epitope) on strains of misfolded Amyloid beta. Misfolded, propagating strains of Amyloid beta are known to be neurotoxic and widely believed by the scientific community to play a key role in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

The discovery of this second target on misfolded Amyloid beta is an important milestone in the Company's mission to develop precision medicine therapeutics for the effective treatment of Alzheimer's disease. ProMIS will use its proprietary platform to discover further targets for precision medicines via identification of novel target epitopes on other misfolded strains of Amyloid beta.

Commenting on today's announcement, ProMIS CEO, Dr. Elliot Goldstein stated: "With the identification of this second target we are now in the process of mapping out and validating a series of potential therapeutic targets on misfolded Amyloid beta. We believe there exist several distinct epitope sites on strains of misfolded Amyloid beta, each site a potential target for ProMIS to create precision monoclonal antibody therapies for Alzheimer's".  

About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.

The mission of ProMIS Neurosciences is to discover and develop precision medicine solutions for the early detection and 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.

Renmark Financial Communications Inc.: Barry Mire, [email protected]; or contact Dr. Elliot Goldstein, President and Chief Executive Officer, ProMIS Neurosciences Inc., Tel. [phone], [email protected]