AB Science

New research shows that masitinib limits neuronal damage in a model of neuroimmune-driven neurodegenerative disease

PRESS RELEASE

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THAT MASITINIB LIMITS NEURONAL DAMAGE IN A MODEL OF NEUROIMMUNE-DRIVEN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE

THIS IS THE FIRST DEMONSTRATION THAT MASITINIB CAN LOWER SERUM NEUROFILAMENT LIGHT CHAIN, AN IMPORTANT BIOMARKER FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS

Paris, March 13, 2024, 12.45pm CET

AB Science SA (Euronext - FR0010557264 - AB) today announced the publication of new preclinical results for masitinib in neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). Findings have been published on the bioRxiv preprint service as an article entitled, ‘Masitinib limits neuronal damage, as measured by serum neurofilament light chain concentration, in a model of neuroimmune-driven neurodegenerative disease’. This article is freely accessible online from the bioRxiv site [1].

The neuroprotective action of masitinib was studied in an animal model of experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE). EAE is a model of neuroimmune-driven chronic neuroinflammation and importantly, neuronal damage, or prevention thereof, can be rapidly assessed by measuring serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration in EAE-induced mice. Results showed that masitinib can significantly lower serum NfL levels, and by extension therefore, neuronal damage, in a neuroimmune-driven neurodegenerative disease model, with concomitant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and slowing of clinical symptoms.

Patrick Vermersch, MD, Professor of Neurology at the University of Lille, France, and co-author of this article commented: “Using a model that is highly relevant to masitinib's mechanism of action in neurodegenerative diseases, this research has shown for the first time that masitinib can lower serum NfL levels, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, and by extension therefore, reduce the rate of neuronal damage. Because chronic neuroinflammation is a common pathological characteristic of most neurodegenerative diseases, the observed NfL treatment response indicates that masitinib has a plausible disease-modifying activity in diseases such as progressive multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease.”

Alain Moussy, co-founder and CEO of AB Science said: “The ability of masitinib to impact NFL in an animal model might be important because biomarkers are at the forefront not only of research in neurodegenerative disorders to predict clinical outcome but also reglementary guidelines to accelerate registration. FDA has recognized recently NFL from patients as a potential biomarker for ALS registration and has issued a recent guideline in Alzheimer’s Disease encouraging the use of biomarker for accelerated approval. AB Science is not only working on disease biomarkers such an NFL but also on mechanistic biomarkers of the response of masitinib.”