New Publication Proposes Mechanism for Inhibition of Fast Axonal Transport by Tau Oligomers
NEW YORK, NY, USA I November 6, 2012 I Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. (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.
SOURCE: Intellect Neurosciences
Post Views: 82
New Publication Proposes Mechanism for Inhibition of Fast Axonal Transport by Tau Oligomers
NEW YORK, NY, USA I November 6, 2012 I Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. (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.
SOURCE: Intellect Neurosciences
Post Views: 82
