On successful conclusion of this preclinical evaluation, initial clinical testing could start in 2010/11, the company said. The Parkinson’s vaccine specifically targets the alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) protein, which is considered to be a key contributory element in Parkinson’s disease.
According to the company, the vaccine is based on its Affitome technology, which, among other things, has already been used to develop two Alzheimer’s vaccines, which are currently both in Phase I clinical testing.
Excellent product candidates from discovery studies have prompted the company to file a patent application and proceed immediately with development, said AFFiRiS. Similarly positive results from external assessments impelled the Austrian Research Promotion Agency to provide considerable financial funding for the project, the company added.
Walter Schmidt, CEO of AFFiRiS, said: Alpha-syn is an attractive target for treating the cause – not just the symptoms – of Parkinson’s. However, it is important to bear in mind that alpha-syn is a human protein belonging to a family of proteins with very similar structures like beta-syn, an essential neuroprotective factor.
Therefore, treatment to reduce alpha-syn must not lead to the reduction of related proteins, such as beta-syn. Our Affitome technology enables us to develop vaccines that induce antibody specifically targeting alpha-syn only.