Amorfix Life Sciences discovers common link between ALS and Alzheimer's Disease
Amorfix Life Sciences announced the discovery of misfolded superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. This breakthrough result suggests that SOD1 is a common link between the two brain-wasting diseases, Alzheimer's and ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
SOD1 has a "Jekyll-and-Hyde" nature as it normally plays an important protective role in detoxifying free radicals in the body, but when misfolded can create lethal oxidative free radicals.
"Amorfix previously reported results from pilot studies showing our proprietary antibodies and vaccines targeting misfolded SOD1 showed life extension in a mice model of ALS. Amorfix will now investigate the use of these same or similar agents to treat Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Neil Cashman, Chief Scientific Officer of Amorfix. "Evidence of free radical toxicity has been observed in Alzheimer's disease for many years and the discovery of the presence of misfolded SOD1 strongly suggests this toxicity is associated with SOD1."
"The early success of our ALS therapeutic program targeting misfolded SOD1 together with the growing scientific evidence from external sources, gives us confidence to expand our product pipeline to include a treatment for Alzheimer's Disease," said Dr. George Adams, CEO of Amorfix Life Sciences. "While many companies are developing potential Alzheimer's disease treatments focused on the Abeta amyloid protein, Amorfix will use a novel approach based on Dr. Cashman's pioneering research on the importance of SOD1."
Amorfix's technology targets misfolded SOD1 through two approaches, a passive infusion of manufactured monoclonal antibodies and an active immunization approach designed to elicit the production of similar antibodies by the patient's own body. Amorfix's technology is based on the premise that the misfolding and aggregation of SOD1 is a principal agent in the death of neurons that occurs in brain-wasting diseases. Amorfix believes that if misfolded SOD1 can be specifically recognized and its toxic activity neutralized by antibodies, brain-wasting diseases could be effectively treated.
Amorfix's technology related to the role of SOD1 in ALS and Alzheimer's is covered by patent applications including one recently published entitled, "Methods and Compositions to treat and Detect Misfolded-SOD1 Mediated Diseases". The patent application relates to the methods and compositions for treating and detecting conditions, disease and disorders mediated by nonnative SOD1.
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