Nykode Therapeutics Announces Updates on its Inverse Vaccine Platform at FOCIS 2024 Meeting
June 20 2024 - 1:00AM
Nykode Therapeutics ASA (OSE: NYKD), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and
development of novel immunotherapies, today announced advancements
in its inverse vaccine platform at the annual Federation of
Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) meeting in San Francisco.
Building on findings previously announced in
March at the Antigen-Specific Immune Tolerance Summit in Boston,
Nykode presented extended therapeutic data from the experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of Multiple Sclerosis
(MS). The updates included demonstrating the disease-modifying
effects of two distinct targeting units within its inverse vaccine
platform in a therapeutic regimen, highlighting the versatility and
effectiveness of antigen-presenting cell (APC)-targeting
strategies.
At the conference, Nykode presented data,
demonstrating a dose-dependent and disease-modifying effect of its
antigen-specific APC-targeting vaccine in a therapeutic regimen,
compared to the delivery of antigen alone, emphasizing the
platform’s potential for effective antigen-specific treatment for
autoimmune disorders.
There are approximately 100 different autoimmune
diseases affecting about 4% of the world population, representing a
significant unmet medical need for novel treatments. Nykode is
focusing on developing antigen-specific treatments for autoimmune
diseases by using its APC-targeting platform to deliver a
tolerogenic response towards disease-associated antigens.
"These findings represent progress in our
ongoing research into inverse vaccines and autoimmune disease
treatment," said Agnete Fredriksen, Chief Scientific Officer and
Co-founder of Nykode. "By exploring different targeting units and
their impact compared to antigen delivery, Nykode aims to refine
therapies that could offer new options for autoimmune conditions,
aiming to develop a new class of drugs that are antigen-specific,
with the potential to be both long-lasting and have limited side
effects."
"We are excited about the progress and promise
of Nykode’s inverse vaccine platform for the treatment of
autoimmune diseases. We are planning initiatives to advance our
efforts, including establishing a subsidiary within Nykode focused
on further progressing the immune tolerance platform. This would
allow a clear focus and increased visibility of the value we
believe is associated with the technology. It will also serve as
preparation for new partnerships and potential direct ownership
amongst Nykode shareholders," added Michael Engsig, CEO.
Nykode presented a poster at FOCIS, with further
details available on the Nykode website at
https://nykode.com/research-and-development/scientific-papers-and-presentations/.
About Nykode Therapeutics
Nykode Therapeutics is a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and
development of novel immunotherapies with a focus on the treatment
of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Nykode’s modular vaccine
technology specifically targets antigens to antigen presenting
cells (APC), employed with their cancer vaccines to induce a broad,
strong and long-lasting antigen specific immune response, which
correlates with clinical responses in cancer patients.
Nykode’s lead product candidates are VB10.16, a
therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of HPV16 induced
malignancies, which demonstrated favorable safety and efficacy
results from its Phase 2 trial for the treatment of cervical
cancer. VB10.16 is being expanded into multiple trials for
treatment of head and neck cancer and cervical cancer, including
the potential registrational trial of VB10.16 in HPV16-positive
cervical cancer. VB10.NEO, an individualized cancer neoantigen
vaccine, is exclusively out-licensed to Genentech, a member of the
Roche Group.
The Company’s partnerships include Genentech
within oncology, and a multi-target collaboration with Regeneron in
oncology and infectious diseases.
Nykode is also utilizing its APC-targeted
technology to create an inverse vaccine platform for the potential
use in autoimmune disorders, organ transplant rejections, anti-drug
antibody reactions and allergy.
Nykode Therapeutics’ shares are traded on the
Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: NYKD). Further information about Nykode
Therapeutics can be found at http://www.nykode.com.
Forward-looking statements for Nykode
Therapeutics
This announcement and any materials distributed
in connection with this announcement may contain certain
forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking
statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect the
company's current expectations and assumptions as to future events
and circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of material
factors could cause actual results and developments to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements.
Contact for Nykode Therapeutics ASA:
Alexandra Deschner, Head of IRNykode
Therapeutics ASAIR@nykode.com
Nykode Therapeutics ASA
Oslo Science ParkGaustadalléen 21N-0349 Oslo,
Norway