ProMIS Neurosciences Identifies Novel Targets on Tau Protein Involved in the Development of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias

ProMIS' proprietary discovery platform generates additional potential opportunities for pharma partnering

TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, MA, Oct. 31, 2018 /CNW/ - ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the identification of novel targets on misfolded, pathological forms of tau. The development of antibody therapeutics that selectively block these toxic forms of tau constitutes an exciting approach to treating Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

"Using our unique discovery platform, we were able to identify several novel targets displayed on misfolded forms of tau. We now look forward to generating antibody candidates that selectively block these toxic forms of tau." stated Dr. Neil Cashman, ProMIS Chief Scientific Officer. "In addition to PMN310, our lead therapeutic candidate that selectively targets the toxic oligomers of amyloid beta, a root cause of Alzheimer's disease, the development of antibodies selective for toxic forms of tau affords ProMIS a 'one-two punch' in our armamentarium to fight Alzheimer's disease."

The tau protein plays a key role in stabilizing the microtubules in central nervous system neurons. The development of misfolded forms of tau leads to toxicity and abnormal neuronal function seen in Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia and other tauopathies such as repetitive head injury (chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE).

Commenting on these results, Dr. Elliot Goldstein, ProMIS President and CEO stated: "ProMIS' proprietary discovery platform continues to show outstanding ability and efficiency to predict novel therapeutic targets and generate highly selective therapeutic antibodies for multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Having previously announced encouraging antibody candidates for ALS (targeting TDP43) and Parkinson's disease (targeting alpha-synuclein) and now novel targets on tau protein, we have additional exciting opportunities for high value pharma partnering across a broad spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases in 2019."

About ProMIS Neurosciences
ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. is a development stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing antibody therapeutics selectively targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The Company's 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 on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique precision medicine approach, the Company is developing novel antibody therapeutics for AD, ALS and PD.  ProMIS is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ProMIS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PMN, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol ARFXF.

For further information about ProMIS Neurosciences, please consult the Company's website at: www.promisneurosciences.com

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

SOURCE ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.

For media inquiries, please contact: Shanti Skiffington, [email protected], Tel. [phone]; For Investor Relations please contact: Alpine Equity Advisors, Nicholas Rigopulos, President, [email protected], Tel. [phone]; Dr. Elliot Goldstein, President and Chief Executive Officer, ProMIS Neurosciences Inc., Tel. [phone], [email protected]