ProMIS Neurosciences announces results presented at the 13th International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases held in Vienna, Austria

TORONTO, April 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProMIS Neurosciences ("ProMIS" or the "Company"), a company focused on the discovery and development of precision treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announces results of its recent therapeutic developments presented at the 13^th International Conference on Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases held in Vienna, Austria, from March 29 to April 2nd. This year's conference was devoted to mechanisms, clinical strategies and promising treatments of neurodegenerative diseases.

"Results presented at the 13^th International AD/PD conference confirmed ProMIS monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) selectively target five distinct epitopes on misfolded strains of toxic Amyloid beta (Aß), without targeting Aß monomer or plaque", stated Dr. Elliot Goldstein, ProMIS President and CEO. "Prior AD clinical trials with mAbs targeting monomer (e.g. solanezumab) have been ineffective, due to target distraction, whereas mAbs targeting plaque (e.g. aducanumab) are associated with the dose limiting toxicity of brain swelling. By specifically targeting only the toxic forms of Aß, we anticipate ProMIS mAbs will demonstrate a best in class product profile with respect to both efficacy and tolerabilty".

ProMIS' communication at the Conference, entitled Rational generation of Aß oligomer-specific antibodies through computational identification of conformational epitopes, was an oral presentation and poster authored by Dr. Ebrima Gibbs (et al.), from the laboratory of ProMIS Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Neil Cashman. The authors used the Company's two proprietary computational algorithms (ProMIS^(TM) and Collective Coordinates) to predict structurally integral misfolding of Aß and the resulting five disease specific epitopes (targets for antibodies). ProMIS mAbs raised against each of these targets showed:

• Preferential binding to synthetic Aß oligomers and negligible binding to monomers;
• Inhibition of Aß oligomer propagation;
• Binding to naturally-occuring soluble Aß oligomers in AD brain tissue and CSF, with no detectable reactivity to plaques in cadaveric AD brain tissue;
• Protection against Aß neurotoxicity in vitro.

In addition, the Company's lead mAb product PMN310, improved cognitive function in a preclinical animal model evaluating short term memory retention (dual object recognition test).

About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.

The mission of ProMIS Neurosciences is to discover and develop precision medicine therapeutics for effective treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease and ALS.

ProMIS Neurosciences' proprietary target discovery engine is based on the use of two, complementary techniques. The Company applies its thermodynamic, computational discovery platforms -- ProMIS^(TM) and Collective Coordinates -- to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes (DSEs) on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique "precision medicine" approach, ProMIS Neurosciences is developing novel antibody therapeutics and specific companion diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease and ALS. The company has also developed two proprietary technologies to specifically identify very low levels of misfolded proteins in a biological sample. In addition, ProMIS Neurosciences owns a portfolio of therapeutic and diagnostic patents relating to misfolded SOD1 in ALS, and currently has three preclinical monoclonal antibody therapeutics against this target.

The information in this release may contain certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information please consult the Company's website at: 
www.promisneurosciences.com