Tiziana Life Sciences Doses First Patient in Phase 2a Trial of Intranasal Foralumab in Multiple Sclerosis

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tiziana Life Sciences Ltd. (Nasdaq: TLSA) (“Tiziana” or the “Company”), a biotechnology company developing breakthrough neuro-immunomodulation therapies, today announced “first patient dosed” in its Phase 2a study comparing two doses of intranasal foralumab and placebo in patients with non-active secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (na-SPMS).   Six investigational centers have been recruited for this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, with up to 18 patients per treatment arm. The primary endpoint of the trial will be the change in microglial activation based on PET scans. Clinical evaluations include the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), QoL assessments, and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), which assess parameters that are essential to a patient’s everyday life. Novel immuno-biomarkers will be measured also and assessed for predictive relevance. Central review of PET scans and images is an integral component of this study.

"The successful consenting, screening, completion of the baseline PET scan, and dosing of our first patient in the intranasal foralumab Phase 2a trial has occurred seamlessly,” said Tanuja Chitnis, M.D., the Principal Investigator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member-hospital of Mass General Brigham Healthcare System, and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. “My anticipation is this randomized placebo-controlled trial is the first step in bringing this potential treatment to patients that have na-SPMS, a disease with no approved therapy. Our experience in the Expanded Access Program provides sustainable hope for relief of symptoms in these patients with an unmet medical need.”

Gabriele Cerrone, Chairman, acting CEO and founder of Tiziana Life Sciences said, “I believe that our dosing of the first patient confirms Tiziana’s ability to execute on its commitments and potential to advance our fully human intranasal anti-CD3 mAb, foralumab, using novel imaging methods and clinically relevant endpoints. We hope our efforts will give a new therapeutic option to patients afflicted with this devastating disease. Currently, there are no FDA approved treatments for na-SPMS.”

Matthew W. Davis, MD, RPh, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Tiziana, added, “I am very pleased the first patient has been dosed and our team is committed to remaining on track with our milestones. We are poised to accelerate enrollment and anticipate data readout in Q4 2024. I believe the study results will reveal important aspects for optimizing clinical management of na-SPMS - particularly the potential for a reduction in MFIS scores.”