Seelos Therapeutics Announces Acquisition of an Exclusive License to Intellectual Property from The UC Regents to Potential D...
March 07 2019 - 8:00AM
Well-Validated, Pre-Clinical Success Shown in the Reduction of
Alpha-Synuclein
Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEEL), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company, announced today that it has acquired an
exclusive license to intellectual property owned by The Regents of
the University of California (The UC Regents) pertaining to a
technology that was created by researchers at the University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Such technology relates to a family
of rationally-designed peptide inhibitors that target the
aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein). Seelos plans to study
this initial approach in Parkinson's disease (PD) and will further
evaluate the potential clinical approach in other disorders
affecting the central nervous system (CNS).
This new program will be known as SLS-007. Pre-clinical data
provide supportive evidence to slow progression – an early sign of
disease-modifying potential in PD.
SLS-007 is a peptide-based approach, targeting the NACore
(nonamyloid component core). Recent in-vitro and cell culture
research have shown the ability to stop the propagation and seeding
of α-synuclein aggregates against increased monomeric
alpha-synuclein expression, fibril preparations of seeded
alpha-synuclein, and alpha-synuclein seeds derived from patients
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or Lewy Body Dementia. Seelos
will evaluate the potential for in-vivo delivery of SLS-007 in a PD
transgenic mice model. The goal will be to establish in-vivo PK/PD
and target engagement parameters of SLS-007, a family of
anti-alpha-synuclein peptidic inhibitors.
Raj Mehra, PhD, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Seelos, stated,
"Accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein is a pathological
hallmark of PD. Though its role is not completely understood, it
appears pivotal in the pathogenesis of PD and other
α-synucleinopathies such as dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple
system atrophy. Reducing the levels of pathological forms of
α-synuclein may alter the course of PD."
"Despite current available treatments for PD, including levodopa
and deep brain stimulation, long-term outcomes for patients remain
poor," said Tim Whitaker, MD, Head of R&D at Seelos. "With no
disease-modifying treatments, and long-term use of established
dopaminergic therapies resulting in both adverse events and side
effects, significant need remains to develop not only a better
means of restoring striatal dopamine but a safe and effective
treatment that slows progression of the disease in patients with
PD. If we are successful in our planned pre-clinical and future
clinical studies, SLS-007 may prove to be such a treatment."
Under the terms of this exclusive license agreement, Seelos has
made an upfront payment to The UC Regents/UCLA of $100,000 and will
issue future remuneration in the form of royalties, which are
contingent upon commercialization.
About Alpha-Synuclein:
Alpha-synuclein (also α-synuclein) is a protein whose function
in the healthy brain is currently unknown. It is of great interest
to Parkinson's researchers because it is a major constituent of
Lewy bodies, protein clumps that are the pathological hallmark of
Parkinson's disease.
In the several years since its discovery, alpha-synuclein has
been the focus of intensive efforts by basic Parkinson's disease
researchers working to definitively characterize the protein's role
in Parkinson's and its potential as a target for neuroprotective
therapies.
For more information on alpha-synuclein and its role in
Parkinson's disease please visit: The Michael J. Fox Foundation:
https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-with-pd/topic.php?alpha-synuclein
About Seelos Therapeutics:
Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company focused on the development and advancement of novel
therapeutics to address unmet medical needs for the benefit of
patients with central nervous system (CNS) disorders and other rare
disorders. The Company’s robust portfolio includes several
late-stage clinical assets targeting psychiatric and movement
disorders, including orphan diseases. Seelos is based in New York,
New York.
For more information, please visit our website:
http://seelostherapeutics.com , the content of which is not
incorporated herein by reference.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements subject
to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements
include statements about the potential uses and benefits of
SLS-007, a family of rationally-designed peptide inhibitors that
target the aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) that are
licensed by the Company from The UC Regents, and the Company’s
plans with respect to developing SLS-007. Risks and uncertainties
include risks associated with development of novel therapeutic
programs generally, intellectual property and regulatory risks
related to the development of SLS-007, risks related to the
Company’s license agreement with The UC Regents, and additional
risks set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the
company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company
disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
Contact Information:
Anthony MarcianoHead of Corporate CommunicationsSeelos
Therapeutics,
Inc.anthony.marciano@seelostx.comwww.seelostherapeutics.com
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