Growing Importance of Genetic Predisposition in Autoimmune Disease
Highlighted At Major Immunology Symposium
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- New therapies may prove successful in treating autoimmune diseases
caused by the interaction between disease-linked MHC (major histocompatibility complex) molecules and certain immune
system cells (T cells), according to presentations by scientists from Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and
Anergen, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANRG - news). The presentations were made at a research symposium at the annual meeting of the
American Association of Immunologists in San Francisco.
''These scientific presentations underscore the need for new therapeutics that can directly and precisely intervene in the
interaction between particular MHCs and T cells, an event that sets in motion a cascade of damaging immune responses in
patients,'' said Barry Sherman, M.D., President and CEO of Anergen. ''Such approaches in the form of Anergen's
AnervaX(TM) and AnergiX(TM) technologies are showing great promise in Phase I (safety) and Phase II (safety and efficacy)
trials in multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in preclinical evaluations for diabetes, and other prevalent
autoimmune conditions.''
''The link of MHC molecules to the onset of these diseases has been supported by genetic predisposition studies worldwide,''
said Maureen Howard, Ph.D., Vice President, Research and symposium speaker. ''MHC molecules are found on the surface
of all cells in the body. Each provides a highly distinctive biochemical signature that can activate the response of T cells that
trigger immune responses against bacterial and viral invaders. Genetic subtypes of certain MHCs are linked to increased risk
for major autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.''
It is possible to specifically block the interaction of these disease-linked MHC molecules with autoreactive T cells using either a
therapeutic peptide vaccine (AnervaX) that stimulates the production of a neutralizing immune response that prevents the
autoimmune disease cascade; or a complex of an MHC-derived protein and a disease specific autoantigenic (AnergiX), that
serves to downregulate autoreactive T cell responses.
''Symposium panelists expressed strong support for the development of MHC-targeted therapeutics both as a highly efficient
means of leveraging the growing body of genetic information related to common autoimmune diseases, and as a pathway for
new drugs that promise greater safety and specificity,'' said Carol Nacy, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Anergen and
chairperson of the symposium.
Anergen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on advancing the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The Company is
developing proprietary biopharmaceutical compounds designed to selectively interrupt antigen presentation or inactivate T cells
in the immune system that mediate the disease process.
NOTE: Certain statements in this press release about the Company's utilization of resources, product development activities,
clinical trials, and product pipelines, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking statements, and are made
pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks
and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from the results discussed in these forward looking
statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include dependence upon collaborative partners for the
advancement of the company's research and development activities, uncertainties related to preclinical and clinical trials ,
government regulation; no assurance of obtaining product approvals, and future requirements for additional capital. These items
are discussed in the Company's Form 10-K filed for fiscal years 1997 and the reports filed on Form 10-Q.
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