Seelos is to begin an in-vivo study delivering SLS-007 by an Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vector making the program Seelos' second gene therapy approach for Parkinson's Disease (PD). Seelos is currently producing the viral vectors and preparing animals for this study. Data to determine delivery and target engagement is expected in the second half of this year.
'Identifying the AAV vector as the optimal route of systemic administration of SLS-007 may ultimately yield a convenient one-time delivery of the peptides,' said
'The study will include measurements of several key biomarkers that will assess the extent of alpha-synuclein (-synuclein) aggregates expression in key target areas of the brain, such as the forebrain and the substantia nigra. These outcomes will help determine key target engagement and set the stage for our next steps with the program,' added
Seelos is also developing SLS-004, which is an all-in-one lentiviral vector gene therapy program that targets the SNCA gene that encodes for the production of -synuclein.
About SLS-007
SLS-007 is a family of rationally designed peptidic inhibitors that target the NACore (non-amyloid component core) of -synuclein to inhibit protein aggregation in patients with PD. The overexpression of -synuclein leads to the formation of -synuclein aggregates which comprise Lewy bodies and neurites which are the hallmarks of the pathogenesis of PD. Recent in-vitro and cell culture research have shown that SLS-007 has the potential to stop the propagation and seeding of -synuclein aggregates. The goal of the in-vivo animal study will be to establish pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles and target engagement parameters of SLS-007.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this press release, which are not historical in nature, constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among others, those regarding the use of the Adeno-Associated Virus vector for systemic administration of SLS-007 and the potential success of this method of viral delivery, expectations regarding the timing for receiving data from the in-vivo animal study of SLS-007 to establish pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics profiles and target engagement parameters of SLS-007 and expectations regarding the results of the in-vivo animal study of SLS-007. These statements are based on Seelos' current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks associated with Seelos' business include, but are not limited to, the risk of not successfully executing its clinical studies and not gaining marketing approvals for its product candidates, the risks associated with the implementation of a new business strategy, the risks related to raising capital to fund its development plans and ongoing operations, as well as other factors expressed in Seelos' periodic filings with the
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Email: anthony.marciano@seelostx.com
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