ProMIS Neurosciences announces new program to identify novel Alzheimer's disease targets on toxic strains of protein tau

Company to host a webinar on July 20^th updating recent progress

TORONTO, July 14, 2016 /CNW/ - ProMIS Neurosciences ("ProMIS" or the "Company"), a company focused on the discovery and development of precision treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that it has initiated a program to identify novel therapeutic targets on neurotoxic strains of the protein tau, which, like neurotoxic strains of Amyloid beta (Ab), are implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Commenting on today's announcement, ProMIS Chief Science Officer, Dr. Neil Cashman, stated: "The root cause of AD are prion variants of Amyloid beta ("Ab")  and tau, as described in detail on our website.  With multiple product candidates in our Ab program progressing to final validation and selection for drug development, we are focusing our science team and discovery processes on the other half of the root cause - tau prions".   

Tau is a "microtubule-associated" protein that helps stabilize the axons of brain neurons. In AD and other neurodegenerative disorders however, tau loses its normal function and forms abnormal aggregates (clumps) of protein—called neurofibrillary tangles—that are toxic to nerve cells.

"In order to develop an effective Alzheimer's disease therapeutic targeting tau, we need to identify the structures present in only the prion-like, neurotoxic strains of the protein," explained Dr. Steven Plotkin, ProMIS Chief Physics Officer. "This is where ProMIS' computational methods have been extremely fruitful: our approach combines the identification of prion-like regions inside the protein—regions that may be involved in propagating aggregates—with molecular dynamics simulation to find novel, rational therapeutic targets."

ProMIS will host a webinar on Wednesday, July 20th at 1:00 PM ET to discuss the Company's recent progress, followed by Q&A session with Dr. Elliot Goldstein, ProMIS' CEO, and Dr. Neil Cashman, ProMIS' CSO. Participants can register for the webinar at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8889008727741875969

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 platforms—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 three preclinical monoclonal antibody therapeutics against this target.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
The information in this 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

Follow us on Twitter
Like us on LinkedIn

SOURCE ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.

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