VBL Presents New Data on the Potential of its Novel VB-600 Platform for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Rheumatoid Ar...
February 26 2019 - 8:00AM
VBL Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VBLT), (the “Company”) today announced
new data implicating the potential of its VB-600 platform of
antibodies targeting MOSPD2 (motile sperm domain-containing protein
2) for treatment of various inflammatory indications, including
NASH and RA. Previously, the Company has demonstrated efficacy of
anti-MOSPD2 monoclonal antibodies in multiple sclerosis (MS)
models, and novel findings now implicate MOSPD2 as a potential
target for NASH and RA as well. VBL's study entitled “MOSPD2:
Key Regulator of Myeloid Cell Migration and a Novel Target for
Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases,” is being presented today at
the Keystone Symposia on Myeloid Cells in Santa Fe, New
Mexico.
Monocytes are immune cells that play a pivotal role in the
induction and progression of various inflammatory diseases. Studies
have suggested that limiting their migration may improve clinical
outcomes in chronic inflammatory diseases; however, thus far it has
been a challenging goal, due to the complexity and redundancy of
ligands and receptors that regulate the movement of these
cells.
VBL has identified new biological findings, which position
MOSPD2 as a critical pathway controlling monocyte migration and as
a key regulator of disease pathogenesis in different inflammatory
autoimmune settings. Company data show that inhibition of MOSPD2 by
either knockdown, silencing or proprietary antibodies, results in a
significant reduction in the ability of monocytes to migrate,
regardless of the inflammatory signals employed to attract them.
Accordingly, mice in which the MOSPD2 gene was knocked out,
essentially do not develop disease in the widely used experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model for MS or the Collagen
Antibody-Induced Arthritis model for RA. Knockout of this gene also
leads to significant reduction in fibrosis in a
high-fat-high-carbohydrate model for NASH. VBL's proprietary
monoclonal antibody drug candidates, for which we have demonstrated
potency in MS and NASH models, have the potential to become a new
therapy in multiple chronic inflammatory indications. "We believe
that we have identified a key pathway through which the body is
recruiting monocytes to specific sites of inflammation," said Dror
Harats, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of VBL Therapeutics. "Not
only is this an important scientific finding, it strengthens the
potential therapeutic scope of our VB-600 platform of monoclonal
antibodies across inflammatory indications. We continue to advance
our VB-600 program towards a first IND filing in 2020."
For a link to VBL's presentation at the Keystone conference,
see: Keystone Presentation
About VBL's VB-600 Platform
VBL is conducting two parallel drug development programs that
are exploring the potential of MOSPD2, 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 VBL
Vascular 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. The Company’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 efficacy signals in an
“all comers” Phase 1 trial as well as in three tumor-specific Phase
2 studies. Ofranergene obadenovec is currently being studied in a
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 include, but are not limited to,
statements regarding our programs, including VB-111, including
their clinical development, such as the timing thereof, therapeutic
potential and clinical results, and the scope and protection of our
intellectual property rights. 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, 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 the Company’s 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, 2017, 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
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c21d0b9-d807-4ed9-9d56-9dfc75216752
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