NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2013 (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, today announced it has initiated in vivo proof of concept studies for its monoclonal antibody, TauC3, in a preclinical model of Alzheimer's disease. The studies are being conducted in collaboration with University of California, Irvine's Dr. Frank LaFerla, Chancellor's Professor and Chair, Neurobiology and Behavior School of Biological Sciences, Director, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders as well as Dr. Kim Green and his team.
"Intellect recently completed additional in vitro characterization of the TauC3 antibody, which was demonstrated to have a high affinity for delta tau," said Dr. Daniel. G. Chain, Intellect's Chairman and CEO. "We also optimized production and produced sufficient quantities to initiate in vivo studies that will include thorough examination of the antibody's effect on neuropathology and behavioral changes in this preclinical model. We look forward to publishing the data later this year."
TauC3 specifically targets the neoepitope that is formed following cleavage of intact tau protein by proteolytic enzymes known as "executioner" caspases. This pathological process is stimulated by an accumulation of amyloid beta in the brain of Alzheimer's patients. It is believed that the smaller cleaved tau, referred to as delta tau, is especially toxic and prone to form tangles inside nerve cells and occurs early in the pathogenesis of the disease so antibody-mediated removal of delta tau would be expected to prevent the irreversible damage to nerve cells.
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.
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