NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 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 Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases, announced today scientists at Northwestern University have published new findings on its tau oligomer selective TOC-1 monoclonal antibody. These new data explain a phenomenon concerning the role of aggregated oligomeric tau as an inhibitor of fast axonal transport (FAT). FAT is the mechanism by which newly synthesized membrane and other proteins made in the nerve cell body essential for neuronal membrane function and maintenance are provided to the synapse.
The paper, titled, "Tau oligomers and tau toxicity in neurodegenerative disease," was written by Lester Binder, Ph.D., the Abbott Laboratories, Duane and Susan Burnham Research Professor of Genetic and Molecular Medicine, at Northwestern University. It appeared in the recent edition of Biochemistry Society Transactions.
"The inhibition of FAT requires a small stretch of amino acids termed phosphatase-activation domain, or PAD. Using a PAD-specific antibody, TNT1 and Tau oligomer selective antibody TOC-1, Dr. Binder's research group was able to demonstrate the PAD is more exposed in oligomeric tau leading to dissociation of the microtubules in diseased neurons. This leads to an increase in FAT inhibition and represents an early event in AD pathogenesis. These findings support our belief, shared by several global pharmaceutical companies with whom we are in discussions, that TOC-1 has important therapeutic potential," stated Daniel Chain, PhD, chairman and CEO of Intellect.
Intellect previously obtained development and commercialization rights to TOC-1 under an exclusive license agreement with Northwestern University and plans to develop it for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies.
Dr. Chain will speak about Intellect's TOC-1 program at the International Drug Discovery Science and Technology (IDDST) conference November 8-10 in Nanjing, China.
Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. develops innovative approaches aimed at arresting or preventing Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases especially focused 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
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 15, 2012.