--Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) Patient Data Shows
High Serum CCL24 Levels Associated with More Severe Manifestations
of Disease, Including Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension --
-- Study Reveals that CCL24 Activates
Endothelial Cells in Specific Ways that Result
in SSc-Associated Fibrosis --
TEL
AVIV, Israel, Nov. 16,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd.
(Nasdaq: CMMB) (Chemomab), a clinical stage biotechnology company
focused on the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics
for fibro-inflammatory diseases with high unmet need, today
reported on its poster presentation at the American College of
Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2023 conference. The study, which
was conducted by Chemomab researchers working in collaboration with
academic scientists, analyzed serum samples and clinical data from
patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to assess the effect of the
soluble protein CCL24 on the pathogenesis of SSc and its
association with key aspects of SSc pathology. Chemomab's
first-in-class monoclonal antibody, CM-101, is designed to
neutralize CCL24 and normalize CCL24-driven fibro-inflammatory
disease processes. CM-101 has been studied extensively in
preclinical and patient models of SSc. Chemomab has an open IND in
the U.S. for a Phase 2 trial of CM-101 in systemic sclerosis
patients.
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by
vascular injury and extensive tissue fibrosis of the skin and
internal organs. It is the most lethal of the systemic
rheumatological disorders. In this study, researchers analyzed
whether CCL24 levels in SSc patients were associated with
differences in functional measures such as the 6-minute walk test,
as well as clinical manifestations of the disease such as the
development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a serious
cardiovascular complication of SSc. They found that the average
level of CCL24 in SSc patients with PAH was significantly higher
compared to the level in SSc patients without PAH and that SSc
patients with higher CCL24 levels had significantly lower scores on
the 6-minute walk exercise capacity test than those with lower
CCL24 levels.
"These new data add to the extensive body of evidence showing
that CCL24 is a major driver of the fibrotic and inflammatory
processes underlying systemic sclerosis and other
fibro-inflammatory diseases," said Adi
Mor, PhD, co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Scientific Officer of Chemomab. "The studies reveal for the first
time that CCL24 is able to induce a unique activation of
endothelial cells that transforms them into mesenchymal cells.
Growing evidence suggests that this endothelial-to-mesenchymal
transition (EndMT) in adults is associated with many vascular,
fibrotic and other diseases, including the fibrotic damage seen in
SSc. It is noteworthy that when CM-101 was added to these models,
the negative effects of CCL24 were substantially mitigated. We
believe that CM-101 may have disease-modifying potential in this
poorly treated condition and look forward to opening patient
enrollment in our Phase 2 SSc trial when resources permit."
Endothelial cells are a major target of autoimmune attack in
SSc. Studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable
of undergoing EndMT, a type of differentiation into other cell
types such as fibroblasts. EndMT is involved in the pathogenesis of
malignant, vascular, inflammatory and fibrotic disorders in adults.
In this study researchers examined how CCL24 and its receptor,
CCR3, might impact EndMT. Using cell-based assays, the researchers
showed that CCL24, alongside factors present in the SSc
microenvironment, enhances the EndMT process. This enhancement is
characterized by an increase in mesenchymal markers, a decrease in
endothelial markers, increased cell migration and an upregulation
of CCR3 expression in endothelial cells. Notably, in cell-based
assays, the addition of Chemomab's CCL24-neutralizing antibody
CM-101 substantially mitigated these EndMT-related processes.
A copy of Chemomab's poster presentation from ACR Convergence
2023 is available at www.chemomab.com/r-d/.
1-The Involvement of CCR3-CCL24 Axis in Endothelial to
Mesenchymal Transition Process and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
in Systemic Sclerosis Patients, It Amoyal, T Hornik-Lurie, T
Zitman-Gal, H Levy, I Vaknin L Drucker, I Heusler, Y Levy, S
Tartakover Matalo, Systemic Sclerosis & Related Disorders –
Clinical Poster III: Translational Science
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act. These forward-looking statements
include, among other things, statements regarding the clinical
development pathway for CM-101; the length, duration and impact of
the war in Israel on Chemomab's
business and operations; the future operations of Chemomab and its
ability to successfully initiate and complete clinical trials and
achieve regulatory milestones; the nature, strategy and focus of
Chemomab; the development and commercial potential and potential
benefits of any product candidates of Chemomab; and that the
product candidates have the potential to address high unmet needs
of patients with serious fibrosis-related diseases and conditions.
Any statements contained in this communication that are not
statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon
Chemomab's current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties. Because such statements deal with future
events and are based on Chemomab's current expectations, they are
subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results,
performance or achievements of Chemomab could differ materially
from those described in or implied by the statements in this
presentation, including those found under the caption "Risk
Factors" and elsewhere in Chemomab's filings and reports with the
SEC. Chemomab expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to
release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking
statements contained herein to reflect any change in Chemomab's
expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based,
except as required by law.
About Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd.
Chemomab is a
clinical stage biotechnology company developing innovative
therapeutics for fibro-inflammatory diseases with high unmet need.
Based on the unique and pivotal role of CCL24 in promoting fibrosis
and inflammation, Chemomab developed CM-101, a monoclonal antibody
designed to neutralize CCL24 activity. In preclinical and clinical
studies, CM-101 appears safe, with the potential to treat multiple
severe and life-threatening fibro-inflammatory diseases. Chemomab
has reported encouraging results from three clinical trials of
CM-101 in patients, including a Phase 1b trial in NAFLD patients, a Phase 2a liver
fibrosis trial in NASH patients and an investigator-initiated study
in patients with severe lung injury. The CM-101 program for the
treatment of systemic sclerosis is Phase 2-ready and a Phase 2
trial in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients is ongoing, with
topline data expected in the second half of 2024. For more
information about Chemomab, visit chemomab.com.
Contacts:
Media and Investors:
Barbara Lindheim
Consulting Vice President, Investor & Public Relations,
Strategic Communications
Phone: +1 917-355-9234
barbara.lindheim@chemomab.com
IR@chemomab.com
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SOURCE Chemomab Therapeutics, Ltd.