Matinas BioPharma Demonstrates in vivo Biological Activity and Disease Improvement in Two Inflammatory Disease Models with Oral LNC-Delivered Small Oligonucleotides

In an acute colitis model, data show statistically significant knockdown of elevated levels of serum TNFα, reductions in tissue TNFα mRNA and improvement in disease activity scores

In an acute psoriasis model, data show reductions in tissue IL-17A mRNA and improvement in clinical disease markers including skin lesions

BEDMINSTER, N.J, Dec. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: MTNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering groundbreaking therapies using its lipid nanocrystal (LNC) platform technology, announces results from a series of in vivo studies demonstrating successful oral delivery of two LNC-formulated small single-strand oligonucleotides that specifically target key inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-17A in well-established and validated animal models that mimic acute inflammatory responses seen in human diseases.

“These studies demonstrate successful oral delivery and biological activity of two different LNC-formulated small oligonucleotides targeting inflammatory cytokines with reductions in tissue cytokine mRNA in both colitis and psoriasis, along with significant reductions in serum TNFα levels in colitis. Commensurate improvements in clinical disease markers and scores were also documented in both models,” said James Ferguson, M.D., Matinas’ Chief Medical Officer.

“While additional study is warranted, the successful oral delivery of small oligonucleotides is very exciting and we believe these data demonstrate how Matinas’ LNC platform could be used for the oral delivery of functional small oligonucleotides with potential therapeutic applications,” Dr. Ferguson added.  “Importantly, the unique nature of the particular oligonucleotides evaluated in these studies, which interfere with cytokine synthesis rather than simply targeting the cytokine itself, creates additional opportunities for potential future applications of LNC-delivered therapeutics, either alone or in combination with other therapeutics with different mechanisms of action.”

Earlier this year, Matinas established the in vitro potency of these proprietary oligonucleotides and their LNC formulations in knocking down their respective cytokine targets in cultured cells. Both were advanced to in vivo studies to evaluate meaningful biological activity in relevant disease models.

Acute Colitis Study (TNFα)

A dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine colitis model was used to evaluate an orally administered LNC-delivered small oligonucleotide that specifically targets TNFα mRNA synthesis. Colon tissue TNFα mRNA levels, as assessed by quantitative real-time PCR analysis, were lower following orally administered active LNCs, resulting in statistically significant reductions of serum TNFα levels by 37% compared with diseased, but untreated animals. Importantly, clinical disease activity scores at key time points in the studies were also significantly improved with an active LNC formulation.