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Voyager Therapeutics Presents New Data Demonstrating Novel Candidate Therapeutic Antibodies Reduced Tau Pathology in Multiple Preclinical Models
Novel passive antibodies bind to paired helical filamentous tau and inhibit propagation of pathological tau Vectorized antibody demonstrates durable CNS
About this update from Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Novel passive antibodies bind to paired helical filamentous tau and inhibit propagation of pathological tau Vectorized antibody demonstrates durable CNS expression more than six months post-dose Research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VYGR), a gene therapy and neuroscience company developing life-changing treatments and next-generation adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids, today presented data showing the use of novel antibodies targeting hyperphosphorylated forms of tau. Two therapeutic approaches were used to show that the spread of pathological tau can be impeded in rodent models: passive immunotherapy with novel antibodies and an intravenously delivered vectorized novel antibody using a blood-brain-barrier penetrating AAV capsid. The data were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and frontotemporal dementia are characterized by the progressive accumulation and/or propagation of neurofibrillary tangles associated with tau hyperphosphorylation in the brains of patients, leading to neuronal and synaptic loss, brain atrophy, and inflammation. Although current therapies are limited to symptom management and have a modest impact1, investigational therapeutics designed to disrupt the propagation of tau pathology may hold promise in the treatment of tauopathies. “The Voyager team has maintained a long-standing focus on the development of novel approaches to disrupt the progression of tau pathology believed to be central to multiple neurodegenerative diseases,” said Todd Carter, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Research at Voyager. “Our novel passive and vectorized anti-tau antibodies have important properties, including specific targeting of specific pathological epitopes of the tau protein that could offer a differentiated clinical profile compared to first generation approaches. We look forward to advancing research and discovery efforts for our tau program, potentially leading the way to vectorize select antibodies into gene therapy product candidates.” Passive Antibody Research Highlights: 113 anti-tau antibodies were characterized based on specified biochemical and biophysical properties, including function...