VBL Presents New Data on MOSPD2 Antibodies as Potential Treatment for NASH and Colitis at DDW
May 06 2020 - 7:00AM
VBL Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VBLT), (the “Company”) today announced
new data implicating the potential of its anti-MOSPD2 antibodies
for treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and colitis.
Treatment with anti-MOSPD2 antibodies was shown to decrease
inflammation and fibrosis in a NASH model and significantly reduce
disease activity in a colitis model. VBL's ePoster entitled
“MOSPD2: A novel therapeutic target for the treatment of
inflammatory digestive disorders,” was presented at the Digestive
Disease Week® (DDW) 2020 virtual meeting. VBL's study was rated in
the top 10% of all abstracts in this category and was selected as
Poster of Distinction.
Studies have emphasized the crucial role of infiltrating
monocytes/macrophages for the progression of liver inflammation and
fibrosis in experimental mouse models and in patients with liver
cirrhosis. Peripheral monocytes are also involved in inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis, as circulating monocytes were
shown to accumulate in the inflamed gut of IBD patients and promote
the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. VBL's data
demonstrate that MOSPD2 plays a role in the pathogenesis of NASH
and colitis, by inhibiting the accumulation of monocytes in the
affected tissue. Targeting of MOSPD2 using specific monoclonal
antibodies, such as the proprietary ones developed by VBL, may
offer a novel and distinct treatment for chronic
immune-inflammatory indications including colitis and NASH. In the
NASH landscape, VBL's differentiated approach opens a possibility
for treatment of patients with established disease, whose liver has
advanced to stages of inflammation and fibrosis.
"These new data, which add to our promising results in multiple
sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis models, are encouraging as we
continue to advance our candidate VB-601 towards first-in-man,"
said Dror Harats, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of VBL
Therapeutics. "We expect a pre-IND filing later this quarter and
hope to start clinical development in 2021."
For a link to VBL's presentation at the DDW conference, see: DDW
Link or VBL's website
About VBL's VB-600 Platform
VBL is conducting two parallel drug development programs that
are exploring the potential of MOSPD2 (motile sperm
domain-containing protein 2), a protein that VBL has identified as
a key regulator of cell motility, as a therapeutic target for
inflammatory diseases and cancer. Our VB-600 platform comprises
classical anti-MOSPD2 monoclonal antibodies for inflammatory
indications, as well as bi-specific antibody candidates for
oncology.
About VBLVascular Biogenics Ltd., operating as
VBL Therapeutics, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company
focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of
first-in-class treatments for cancer. VBL’s lead oncology product
candidate, ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111), is a first-in-class,
targeted anti-cancer gene-therapy agent that is being developed to
treat a wide range of solid tumors. It is conveniently administered
as an IV infusion once every two months. It has been observed to be
well-tolerated in >300 cancer patients and demonstrated activity
signals in a VBL-sponsored “all comers” phase 1 trial as well as in
three VBL-sponsored tumor-specific phase 2 studies. Ofranergene
obadenovec is currently being studied in a VBL-sponsored phase 3
potential registration trial for platinum-resistant ovarian
cancer.
Forward Looking Statements This press release
contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than
statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which
are often indicated by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “look forward to,”
“may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,”
“would” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements
may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our
programs, including MOSPD2, including their clinical development,
therapeutic potential and clinical results. These forward-looking
statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial
risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those described or projected
herein include uncertainties associated generally with research and
development, clinical trials and related regulatory reviews and
approvals, the risk that historical clinical trial results may not
be predictive of future trial results, that our financial resources
do not last for as long as anticipated, and that we may not realize
the expected benefits of our intellectual property protection. A
further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and
other risks can be found in our regulatory filings with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our
annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31,
2019, and subsequent filings with the SEC. Existing and
prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof. VBL Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to
update or revise the information contained in this press release,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
circumstances or otherwise.
INVESTOR CONTACT:Michael RiceLifeSci Advisors,
LLC(646) 597-6979
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