Alexion Pharmaceuticals unveils Apogen MS a potential apoptosis treatment for multiple sclerosis; presented at MS conference in Cambridge, Mass.CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 1995--Alexion Pharmaceuticals today unveiled a newly developed class of proprietary recombinant autoantigens, termed Apogens(TM), for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Alexion Vice President of Research in Immunobiology, Louis A. Matis, M.D., described the Apogen technology at the International Business Communications conference "Advances in the Understanding and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis." MS is the most common disease-related cause of neurologic disability in early to mid adulthood, affecting more than 350,000 Americans. It is twice as common in women as in men. MS causes crippling loss of muscle control and coordination, which may lead to paralysis and, in some cases, death. In some sufferers, MS also causes loss of sensory functions and mental acuity. There is accumulating evidence that MS is caused by subpopulations of white blood cells White blood cells A group of several cell types that occur in the bloodstream and are essential for a properly functioning immune system. Mentioned in: Abscess Incision & Drainage, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Complement Deficiencies , called T-cells, that attack the brain. It is believed that by attacking antigen proteins present in the brain, T-cells induce localized inflammation and cause the progressive central nervous system damage of MS. "Alexion's Apogen MS compounds have already proven highly effective in treating the EAE EAE 1. experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. 2. enzootic abortion of ewes. (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis encephalomyelitis /en·ceph·a·lo·my·eli·tis/ (en-sef?ah-lo-mi?e-li´tis) inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. acute disseminated encephalomyelitis ) model of MS in mice and in in vitro in vitro /in vi·tro/ (in ve´tro) [L.] within a glass; observable in a test tube; in an artificial environment. in vi·tro adj. In an artificial environment outside a living organism. experiments using human T-cells from patients with MS," said Dr. Matis. "What makes the technology especially attractive is that it selectively eliminates the small and very specific population of T-cells that cause disease leaving the vast majority of T-cells intact and available to perform their normal protective function in the immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. ." Alexion's Apogen(TM) technology was developed in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health. The technology harnesses a process called apoptosis in which specific cells are induced to commit suicide via a mechanism of programmed cell death pro·grammed cell death n. See apoptosis. programmed cell death proposed system of cell death, often including poly(ADP)-ribosylation, ensures that a cell will not survive if it is so badly damaged that its recovery would harm the . Apoptosis, or cellular suicide, normally occurs during the development of the immune system where potentially harmful autoreactive immature thymocytes (precursors to T-cells) are destroyed in the thymus thymus Pyramid-shaped lymphoid organ (see lymphoid tissue) between the breastbone and the heart. Starting at puberty, it shrinks slowly. It has no lymphatic vessels draining into it and does not filter lymph; instead, stem cells in its outer cortex develop into by exposure to self-antigens. This natural destruction mechanism generally prevents the maturation of T-cells that might otherwise react against the patient's own tissues and cause autoimmune diseases Autoimmune diseases A group of diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, in which immune cells turn on the body, attacking various tissues and organs. Mentioned in: Complement Deficiencies, Premature Menopause . It is thought that T-cell mediated autoimmune diseases represent a failure of this protective function. Alexion scientists have developed Apogens to replicate this natural protective mechanism and to selectively eliminate disease-causing T-cells from patients with autoimmune disorders. Alexion's technology can be applied to the treatment of autoimmune diseases in a highly effective fashion. Unlike other compounds developed for this purpose, which are only effective against patients with particular genetic characteristics or against only a fraction of the disease-causing T-cells in a particular patient, the Apogen compounds may prove to be effective in treating all sufferers, regardless of genetic background. Alexion is planning to commence human clinical trials in 1996. "We're extremely enthusiastic about the potential of our Apogens to successfully treat multiple sclerosis. Alexion's Apogen technology may also have application in other severe and debilitating de·bil·i·tat·ing adj. Causing a loss of strength or energy. Debilitating Weakening, or reducing the strength of. Mentioned in: Stress Reduction autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis myasthenia gravis (mīəsthē`nēə grä`vĭs), chronic disorder of the muscles characterized by weakness and a tendency to tire easily. , insulin dependent diabetes and rhuematoid arthritis," said Dr. Leonard Bell, president and Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. "Each Apogen will consist of the recombinant form of the apoptosis-inducing `self-antigen' specific to a certain disease." Alexion Pharmaceuticals, founded in 1992, is a private, research-based biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New Haven, Conn., focused on developing novel immunoregulatory biotherapeutics targeting severe autoimmune and cardiovascular disorders and organ transplantation. CONTACT: Alexion Pharmaceuticals Louis A. Matis, M.D. David Keiser 203/776-1790 or NCI See Liberate. Public Relations Ken Wallace 609/452-0101 |
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