Geneuro starts Phase IIa clinical study

GeNeuro SA, a Geneva based private biotech company developing therapies for neurology disorders, has announced that at Phase IIa study has been launched in the Hospitals of Geneva and Basel in Switzerland to test its monoclonal antibody GNbAC1 for multiple sclerosis (MS). This Phase IIa study is a single ascending dose study. During the study, 10 patients suffering from multiple sclerosis will receive the monoclonal antibody GNbAC1 at two different doses. The main objectives of the study are the safety and pharmacokinetics of the monoclonal antibody in patients. A repeated-dose extension of 6 months is planned.

GNbAC1 targets the envelope protein of an endogenous retrovirus which could play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MS. Discovered in the early 90’s, the Human endogenous retrovirus of type W is closely associated with MS and, due to its neurotoxic properties, could be a causal factor of the disease.

This clinical study is the first step in the GeNeuro’s Phase II program which will be pursued by a proof-of-concept study planned in 2013.

GeNeuro is a privately held biotech company that is focused on developing a pioneering approach for the therapy and diagnosis of diseases associated with human endogenous retrovirus expression with a primary focus on Nervous System diseases. GeNeuro builds a therapeutic product pipeline for disorders with high unmet medical needs. The company’s goal is to optimize the management of the disease, including the treatment, the diagnostic tools and the patient’s follow-up. The company was founded in 2006 and awarded with the CTI Start-up Label in 2007.