Amorfix Life Sciences and Dr. Cashman receive Canadian government grant to develop treatments for Alzheimer's disease

24-Jul-2008

Amorfix Life Sciences and the University of British Columbia (UBC) announced a research collaboration to develop Alzheimer's treatments based upon the discovery of misfolded superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The research will be aimed at preclinical efficacy studies for both antibody treatments and vaccines and will be conducted in Dr. Cashman's laboratory at the Brain Research Center at the UBC in collaboration with Amorfix scientists, and will be supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR).

SOD1 has a "Jekyll-and-Hyde" nature as it normally plays an important protective role in detoxifying free radicals in the body, but when misfolded can create lethal oxidative free radicals. Amorfix's technology targets misfolded SOD1 through two approaches, a passive infusion of manufactured monoclonal antibodies and an active immunization approach designed to elicit the production of similar antibodies by the patient's own body. Amorfix's technology is based on the premise that the misfolding and aggregation of SOD1 is a principal agent in the death of neurons that occurs in brain-wasting diseases. Amorfix believes that if misfolded SOD1 can be specifically recognized and its toxic activity neutralized by antibodies, brain-wasting diseases could be effectively treated.

CIHR will fund $227,500 in cash over one year with Amorfix contributing the balance of the $900,000 program.

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous