LAUSANNE, Switzerland - AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:ACIU), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced the development of a novel therapeutic antibody drug conjugate (ADC) technology aimed at treating neurodegenerative diseases. The announcement was made during an oral presentation at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC 2024) in Philadelphia, PA.
The new class of drug candidates, named morADC (Morphomer Antibody Drug Conjugate), is designed to target toxic proteins in the central nervous system (CNS). These drug candidates have shown significant synergies in preclinical studies, including substantially increased penetration through the blood-brain barrier and enhanced potency to inhibit protein aggregation compared to the use of the antibody or small molecule alone.
morADC technology leverages AC Immune's proprietary brain-penetrant small molecule Morphomers with their SupraAntigen monoclonal antibodies. This combination has demonstrated potential in addressing targets such as Abeta, Tau, and alpha-synuclein, which are associated with diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Dr. Madiha Derouazi, Chief Scientific Officer of AC Immune, presented the in vitro efficacy of morADC, highlighting its capability for single or dual-targeting strategies. This approach could deliver combination therapy in a single therapeutic agent, offering a new avenue for treating complex neurodegenerative diseases.
The company's CEO, Dr. Andrea Pfeifer, expressed confidence in the groundbreaking nature of the morADC technology and its potential to disrupt the industry. AC Immune's clinically validated SupraAntigen and Morphomer platforms have been instrumental in the discovery and development of therapeutic candidates, with a track record of securing strategic partnerships.
AC Immune's pipeline currently features sixteen therapeutic and diagnostic programs, with five in Phase 2 clinical trials and one in Phase 3. The company's strategic partnerships have provided substantial non-dilutive funding, with potential milestone payments and royalties.
This new morADC technology underscores AC Immune's commitment to pioneering precision medicine for neurodegenerative diseases. The company's approach combines its industry-leading technologies to overcome challenges faced by existing modalities and improve clinical outcomes for patients.
The information disclosed is based on a press release statement from AC Immune SA.
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