NEW YORK and LONDON, Sept. 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. (OTCBB:ILNS), a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of disease-modifying therapeutic agents for the treatment of proteinopathies, and MRC Technology (MRCT), leading specialists in the humanization of antibodies, announced today they have completed humanization of 82E1, a mouse monoclonal antibody to create a high-affinity stabilized IgG4 therapeutic antibody that binds the amino terminus of amyloid beta without binding to the amyloid precursor protein (APP).
Antibodies exist in several isoforms; IgG1 antibodies have the strongest potential to induce inflammation while IgG4 has the lowest potential. The Intellect antibody, called IN-N01, is anticipated to promote the clearance of monomeric, oligomeric and plaque forms of amyloid beta, which accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer's patients or following traumatic brain injury and in the retina of the eye in patients with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic neuropathy and glaucoma.
Intellect Neurosciences and MRCT also have amended their Service Agreement to reduce Intellect's cash outlay in exchange for equity. This reflects MRCT's new strategy of risk sharing on exciting antibody projects.
"IN-N01 is an important addition to Intellect's diversified preclinical pipeline," commented Daniel G. Chain, PhD, Intellect's Chairman and CEO. "The recent Phase 3 data for bapineuzumab, an IgG1 antibody, despite failing to show improvement in clinical endpoints, demonstrated through the use of biomarkers the drug engaged the amyloid beta target and reduced neurodegeneration indicating both the need for earlier intervention and improved antibody-based therapies. We anticipate IN-N01 will have improved safety, which means that it can be used at higher, more frequent doses that likely will result in clinical efficacy, especially if administered to presymptomatic patients."
IN-N01 could be developed without further modification or empowered by chemically combining the antibody with a small molecule, such as an antioxidant, using Intellect's CONJUMAB™ platform technology. The company plans to evaluate IN-N01 in both contexts. Additionally, Intellect plans to test IN-N01 in combination with its tau monoclonal antibodies, TOC1- and TauC3.
"MRCT's collaboration with the team at Intellect Neurosciences applying our unparalleled expertise to this important and timely project will be critical to the development of IN-N01 as a therapeutic antibody and we are confident in its potential success," said Dr. Dave Tapolczay, MRCT's CEO. "We believe Intellect Neurosciences is on track with a promising drug candidate and therefore were pleased to offset their cost of development by sharing in the risk."
About Intellect Neurosciences
Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. develops innovative approaches aimed at arresting or preventing Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, with a specific focus on proteinopathies. Intellect's pipeline includes therapeutic vaccines, antibodies and neuroprotective antibody drug conjugates.
For more information, please visit www.intellectns.com.
The Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=14741
About Medical Research Council Technology
MRC Technology (www.mrctechnology.org) is a technology transfer company and charity responsible for adding commercial value to cutting edge scientific discoveries through strategic patent protection, creative licensing of intellectual property (IP), partnered research or further scientific development.
MRC Technology also has small molecule drug discovery and therapeutic antibody facilities, providing lead-stage therapeutic assets to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
MRC Technology's scientists have a proven track record of success in antibody humanization, having humanized more than 50 antibodies including Tysabri® and Actemra®. A further six are in clinical trials (including Vedolizumab) with another two in preclinical studies. For additional information please visit http://www.antibodyengineering.co.uk
The MRC Technology logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=14742
Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-‐Looking Statements:
The statements in this release and oral statements made by representatives of Intellect Neurosciences relating to matters that are not historical facts (including, without limitation, those regarding future performance or financial results, the timing or potential outcomes of research collaborations or clinical trials, any market that might develop for any of Intellect's product candidates and the sufficiency of Intellect's cash and other capital resources) are forward-‐looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the likelihood that actual performance or results could materially differ, that future research will prove successful, the likelihood that any product in the research pipeline will receive regulatory approval in the United States or abroad, or Intellect's ability to fund such efforts with or without partners. Intellect undertakes no obligation to update any of these statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-‐looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. Accordingly, any forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the additional risks and uncertainties detailed in Intellect's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Intellect's Annual Report on Form 10-K (file no. 333-‐128226), filed on October 13, 2011, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, which was filed on May 14, 2012.