BioArctic develops new antibody therapy for ALS
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Category: Antibodies
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Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 11:49
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STOCKHOLM, Sweden I November 15, 2021 I BioArctic AB (publ) (Nasdaq Stockholm: BIOA B) provided an update today on the development project of the company ND3014. For the first time, it was announced that the project aimed to develop selective antibody treatments targeting TDP-43, a protein believed to play a crucial role in the development of the rare neurodegenerative disease, ALS.
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects the body’s ability to control muscle activity. TDP-43 (TAR DNA-binding protein 43) is a key protein that has an impact on the development of the disease. When this protein is misfolded, it creates toxic aggregates, causing progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. Aggregates of TDP-43 in the central nervous system are a common clinical finding in ALS, found in most cases of patients in studies. Misfolded TDP-43 has also been shown in many patients with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The objective of BioArctic’s development of selective antibody treatments against TDP-43 is to decrease the levels of toxic aggregates of TDP-43 in nerve cells, and thus to obtain a disease modifying effect.
“BioArctic scientists are working systematically to identify new methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases. As our understanding of the underlying causes of ALS has increased, we have found an opportunity to develop novel, selective antibodies against TDP-43, the protein that plays a key role in disease progression. Over time, we hope that our work will lead to new treatments that will improve the lives of these patients and their loved ones, ”said Gunilla Oswald, CEO of BioArctic.
6,000 people are diagnosed with ALS each year around the world. The disease often starts around the age of 60, but younger people are also affected. The disease progresses very aggressively, causing increased muscle fatigue and a high risk of morbidity a few years after diagnosis. Current treatments include drugs that slow the progression of the disease, or revive symptoms, aimed at improving the patient’s quality of life, and the need for new treatments is great.
About BioArctic AB
BioArctic AB (publ) is a Swedish research-based biopharmaceutical company specializing in disease-modifying therapies and reliable biomarkers and diagnostics for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. BioArctic focuses on innovative treatments in areas where unmet medical needs are high. The company was founded in 2003 on the basis of innovative research from the University of Uppsala, Sweden. Collaborations with universities are of great importance to the company as well as its strategically important global partners in the Alzheimer (Eisai) and Parkinson (AbbVie) projects. The project portfolio is a combination of fully funded and partnered projects with global pharmaceutical companies and innovative in-house projects with significant market and licensing potential. BioArctic’s Class B share is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap (ticker: BIOA B). For more information on BioArctic, please visit www.bioarctic.com.
THE SOURCE: BioArctic
