Category Archives: Immunology

Immunology

Tonix Pharmaceuticals : Added to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index – Form 8-K – marketscreener.com

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Added to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index

CHATHAM, N.J., December 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has been added to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (Nasdaq: NBI) as part of the Nasdaq's annual reconstitution process. The addition will become effective prior to market open on Monday, December 20, 2021.

The Index is designed to track the performance of a set of securities listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq) that are classified as either Biotechnology or Pharmaceutical according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB). For more information about the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/Index/Overview/NBI.

About Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.

Tonix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, licensing, acquiring and developing therapeutics and diagnostics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix's portfolio is primarily composed of immunology and central nervous system (CNS) product candidates. Tonix's immunology portfolio includes COVID-19-related product candidates to prevent and treat COVID-19, to treat Long COVID as well as to detect functional T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2. The Company's CNS portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric and addiction conditions. Tonix's lead CNS candidate, TNX-102 SL1 (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets), is in mid-Phase 3 development for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-13002 is a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication that is expected to start a Phase 2 trial before year end. Tonix's lead vaccine candidate for COVID-19, TNX-18003, is a live replicating vaccine based on Tonix's recombinant pox vaccine (RPV) platform to protect against COVID-19, primarily by eliciting a T cell response. Tonix expects to start a Phase 1 study in humans in the second half of 2022. Tonix is also developing TNX-21004, an in vivo diagnostic to measure the presence of functional T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and intends to initiate a first-in-human clinical study in the first quarter of 2022. TNX-35005 (sangivamycin, i.v. solution) is a small molecule antiviral drug to treat acute COVID-19 and is in the pre-IND stage of development. Finally, TNX-102 SL is a small molecule drug being developed to treat Long COVID, a chronic post-COVID condition, and is also in the pre-IND stage. Tonix expects to conduct a Phase 2 study in Long COVID in the first half of 2022. Tonix's immunology portfolio also includes biologics to address immunosuppression, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

1TNX-102 SL is an investigational new drug and has not been approved for any indication.

2TNX-1300 is an investigational new biologic at the pre-IND stage of development and has not been approved for any indication.

3TNX-1800 is an investigational new biologic and has not been approved for any indication. TNX-1800 is based on TNX-801, live horsepox virus vaccine for percutaneous administration, which is in development to protect against smallpox and monkeypox. TNX-801 is an investigational new biologic and has not been approved for any indication.

4TNX-2100 is an investigational new biologic and has not been approved for any indication.

5TNX-3500 is an investigational new drug at the pre-IND stage of development and has not been approved for any indication.

This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at http://www.tonixpharma.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "estimate," "expect," and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; delays and uncertainties caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 15, 2021, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All Tonix's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.

CONTACTS

Jessica Morris (corporate)

Tonix Pharmaceuticals

investor.relations@tonixpharma.com

(862) 904-8182

Olipriya Das, Ph.D. (media)

Russo Partners

Olipriya.Das@russopartnersllc.com

(646) 942-5588

Peter Vozzo (investors)

Westwicke, an ICR Company

peter.vozzo@westwicke.com

(443) 213-0505

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Tonix Pharmaceuticals : Added to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index - Form 8-K - marketscreener.com

Immunology

Omicron is making the holidays complicated. 50 COVID experts weigh in with their advice – Toronto Star

50 COVID experts weigh in with their advice for the holidays | The Star

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Omicron is poised to overtake Delta in Ontario: What you need to know

Kingstons Omicron-fuelled surge leads to strict measures and offers a preview

Millions of Ontarians will need a third COVID vaccine this month. Can we ramp up capacity like in the summer?

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Wed., Dec. 15, 2021timer5 min. read

updateArticle was updated 8 hrs ago

A dinner of chicken with stuffing, mixed in with some Indian food. A Secret Santa gift exchange. Everyone gathered around the TV to watch Home Alone.

These are the simple holiday pleasures Dr. Nitin Mohan, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Western University, is looking forward to sharing with a couple of extended family members, after COVID essentially cancelled the season last year.

While Im frustrated that we wont be having the Christmas we thought we would be having a month ago, when I look at where we were last year, I still think were in a better position than where we were back then, said Mohan, who is being extra cautious as he and his wife have a five-month-old son.

The Star reached out to COVID-19 experts, including Mohan, to ask how they were marking the 2021 holidays, whether that involved celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years Eve, or just enjoying some time off work.

Fifty epidemiologists, infectious disease experts, health analysts, virologists, immunologists, biostatisticians, a few PhD students and others from coast to coast, responded.

The upshot? Vaccines have opened up the possibility for gathering with loved ones, something many missed out on last year. But the pandemic is not over, and the quickly evolving situation with the new Omicron variant has made decisions even more complicated. The experts stressed that the situation is changing fast; theyre watching closely and are prepared to scale down, or even cancel plans, if needed. Thirty-nine experts who answered the Stars survey plan on having a small dinner or gathering with people outside of their household this holiday season.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontarios chief medical officer of health, told reporters Tuesday that people should keep things small and limit contacts as the risk goes up, hinting that more guidance will be coming soon. It also depends on your own individual health, and the situation in your family and community. If youre very vulnerable to COVID, than you should avoid contact with others altogether, he said.

Last year, when the Star conducted a similar survey, most Canadians were forced inside by government restrictions and only able to socialize within their households or outside in small groups.

This Christmas, Canadians are freer to gather (albeit with some restrictions), dine in a restaurant, and partake in some of the usual, pre-pandemic festive activities. Experts holiday plans reflect that range of choices.

Decisions on attending gatherings or holiday parties are largely influenced by peoples unique situations, like the prevalence of COVID in their area, the vaccination status of their friends and family, and their own personal risk tolerances.

As a result, feelings about socializing outside of the household vary significantly.

Dr. Martha Fulford, infectious-disease specialist at McMaster Childrens Hospital in Hamilton, said she has no concerns at all, adding, It is time to move on and learn to coexist with COVID.

Laura Cowen, professor of statistics at the University of Victoria, said: We just had an outbreak at UVic and we are now pivoting online. It would be reckless to have a gathering outside of my household at this time.

Its just not worth it, wrote Ananya Banerjee, assistant professor of epidemiology at McGill University, whose mom is immunocompromised and a cancer survivor. Instead of seeing people outside of her household, Banerjee plans to spend the holidays learning the amazing traditional Indian dishes her mom cooks. Shell visit with friends and family outdoors (weather permitting of course!) enjoying the wondrous beauty of nature.

Despite some risks, most experts feel its possible to gather safely in small groups. Many are taking precautions like using rapid tests beforehand, opening windows to increase airflow and ensuring everyone eligible is vaccinated.

After a holiday season in lockdown last year, most are just thankful to celebrate with loved ones at all.

Last year was very lonely for many of us. I was alone with my daughter, our first Christmas without her brother or grandparents, wrote Cynthia Carr, an epidemiologist in Winnipeg, adding that she picked up Christmas dinner from her parents. (They cooked, because I cannot.)

This year, shes excited to be able to celebrate with both of her kids, and to enjoy her parents amazing meal in person again.

Twelve experts are planning on attending a larger gathering of more than 10 people, though most are keeping it under 15, with just extended family or close friends. Some plan to take the bigger parties outside, to skating rinks and bonfires.

In Ontario, private indoor gatherings are still capped at 25. Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington health unit is asking that people keep them at five people or less, amid an Omicron surge.

While most experts will see friends and family, the majority will do so close to home. Just 11 are planning on travelling.

(As of press time Tuesday night, the federal government was poised to warn against non-essential travel over the holidays.)

Over the course of the five days we gave experts to answer the survey, at least three went back to change their answers as the situation became more dire.

I was feeling much better about my familys Christmas plans a few weeks ago. Now, less so, wrote Toronto-based science communicator Samantha Yammine in an updated response to the survey.

She says her family is planning to protect her small Christmas gathering by being mindful of their risk budget in the week leading up to the holiday, postponing other social plans and limiting close contacts. Yammine posted tips for holiday gatherings on Instagram, including making it easy for guests to bail if they have symptoms, rapid testing between events and opening windows/having HEPA filters around (since COVID is airborne).

Mohan, like many, is taking precautions. Everyone at his gathering who is eligible will be vaccinated a few people work in health care and they will have three doses and they will all isolate for three to five days beforehand. Hes watching the Omicron numbers closely, in case they need to cancel.

But he also thinks its important to factor in mental health, and be empathetic with one another because this isnt easy for anyone.

For Banerjee, its also a time to reflect on how much we have, as Canadians.

We should be grateful we are at the stage of getting access to booster shots while so many low-middle-income countries are still waiting for their first dose of vaccination, she said.

More from The Star & Partners

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Omicron is making the holidays complicated. 50 COVID experts weigh in with their advice - Toronto Star

Immunology

Assistant, Department of Immunology and Allergology job with RUDN UNIVERSITY | 273626 – Times Higher Education (THE)

Department: Department of Immunology and AllergologyFaculty: Institute of MedicineEmployment: Part-time (0.25)

Requirements to the candidate

Required knowledge:

Requirements:

The position of assistant of the department is assigned to a person who possesses the following criteria:

Working conditions (job description, KPI)

Responsibilities:

Conditions:

Accommodation at RUDN

For the full term of the employment contract, invited scientists who passed the competitive selection are provided with a campus apartment of the University.

According to local documents of the University, the deadline for submitting applications for vacant positions of teaching staff is one month from the date of posting information on the website of RUDN.

10.01.2022

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Assistant, Department of Immunology and Allergology job with RUDN UNIVERSITY | 273626 - Times Higher Education (THE)

Immunology

Grouping of immunological T-cell receptors may be key to identifying patients’ history of infection – News-Medical.net

Grouping of pathogen-recognizing proteins on immune T cells may be key to identifying if someone has had an infection in the past, suggests a study published today in eLife.

While tests measuring antibodies against a pathogen are often used to detect signs of a previous infection, it is more difficult for researchers to measure the strength and targets of a person's T-cell response to infection or vaccination, but the findings hint at a potential new approach. This patient information could one day be useful for detecting infections, guiding treatments or supporting the research and development of new therapies and vaccines.

Immune T cells help the body find and destroy harmful viruses and bacteria. Proteins on the outer surface of T cells called receptors allow the T cells to recognize and eliminate human cells that have been infected by specific pathogens.

While the abundance of specific receptors could provide clues about past infection, the enormous molecular diversity of T-cell receptors makes it incredibly challenging to assess which receptors recognise which pathogens. Not only is each pathogen recognised by a distinct set of receptors, but each individual develops a personalised set of receptors for each pathogen. We developed a new computational approach that allows us to find similarities among pathogen-specific T-cell receptors across individuals. Ultimately, we hope this will help develop signatures of past infection despite the enormous diversity of T-cell receptors."

Koshlan Mayer-Blackwell, Study First Author and Senior Data Scientist, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

The team tested their approach using data from the immuneRACE study of T-cell receptors in patients with COVID-19. Using their new software for rapidly comparing large sets of receptors, they were able to generate 1,831 T-cell receptor groupings based on similarities in the receptors' amino acid sequences that suggest they have similar functions.

In an independent group of COVID-19 patients, the team found that the common molecular patterns associated with receptor groupings were more robustly detected than individual receptor sequences that were previously hypothesised to recognise parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, demonstrating a major improvement on existing approaches.

"Our study introduces and validates a flexible approach to identify sets of similar T-cell receptors, which we hope will be broadly useful for scientists studying T-cell immunity," Mayer-Blackwell says. "Grouping receptors together in this way makes it possible to compare responses to infection or vaccination across a diverse population."

To help other researchers use this approach to develop T-cell biomarkers with their own data, the team has created free customisable software called tcrdist3.

"Our software provides flexible tools that will enable scientists to analyse and integrate the rapidly growing libraries of T-cell receptor sequencing data that are needed to identify the features of pathogen-specific T-cell receptors," concludes senior author Andrew Fiore-Gartland, Co-Director of the Vaccines and Immunology Statistical Center at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. "We hope it will open new opportunities not only to identify patients' immunological memories of past infections and vaccinations but also to predict their future immune responses."

Source:

Journal reference:

Mayer-Blackwell, K., et al. (2021) TCR meta-clonotypes for biomarker discovery with tcrdist3 enabled identification of public, HLA-restricted clusters of SARS-CoV-2 TCRs. eLife. doi.org/10.7554/eLife.68605.

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Grouping of immunological T-cell receptors may be key to identifying patients' history of infection - News-Medical.net

Immunology

Research Fellow in Cancer Immunology job with UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON | 273475 – Times Higher Education (THE)

Cancer Sciences

Location: Southampton General HospitalSalary: 31,406 to 37,467 Per annumFull Time Fixed Term for 12 monthsClosing Date: Tuesday 14 December 2021Interview Date: To be confirmedReference: 1620021CM

Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, School of Cancer Sciences

The Antibody and Vaccine Group based in the recently opened Centre for Cancer Immunology in Southampton has a strong track-record in basic and translational immunology. One of its central aims is to develop new and more effective antibody reagents for treating cancer.

An exciting opportunity now presents itself for a research fellow to work on a Cancer Research UK funded programme to determine how a family of key receptors (Fc receptors) are regulated and serve to deliver antibody-mediated cancer cell destruction. The post-holder will leverage expertise in antibody biology, myeloid cells, transcriptomics, immunology, and cell biology in order to gain new understanding of this critical receptor family with the aim of improving cancer treatments.

You will be motivated, educated to PhD level in a relevant subject area and ideally have practical laboratory experience of antibody biology, myeloid cells, bioinformatics and in vivo methodology.

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

This post is offered on a full-time fixed term contract for 12 months.

Informal queries should be directed to Professor Mark Cragg (msc@soton.ac.uk)

Details about the School of Cancer Sciences and Centre for Cancer Immunology can be found at http://www.southampton.ac.uk/medicine/research/themes/cancer-sciences.page

Application Procedure

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Michelle (HR Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750 or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk Please quote reference 1620021CM on all correspondence.

Visit link:
Research Fellow in Cancer Immunology job with UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON | 273475 - Times Higher Education (THE)

Immunology

INmune Bio, Inc. Announces Two Presentations at the 2021 British Society of Immunology Congress and Provides 119-day data on First patient in MDS…

Boca Raton, Florida, Dec. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INmune Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: INMB) (the Company), a clinical-stage immunology company focused on developing treatments that harness the patients innate immune system to fight disease, today announced two poster presentations at the 2021 British Society of Immunology Congress, which was held November 28-December 1, in Edinburgh, UK.

Mark Lowdell, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of INmune Bio, stated, Im delighted to have two of our team presenting our latest data on the mechanism of action of INKmune. These are the first comprehensive data showing that INKmune-mediated priming generates NK cells with memory-like phenotype (mlNK). Before this, mlNK cells could only be produced using multiple combinations of cytokines. These are the data which led us to the concept that INKmune is a pseudokine that provides multiple signals to NK cells, akin to the multi-cytokine cocktails used by others. We also show that INKmune priming promotes significant proliferation of mlNK cells in vitro. These in vitro data have been replicated in the first patient treated with three, weekly doses of INKmune for high risk MDS. At 119 days post first treatment, 60% of the patients NK cells showed the activated, tumor killing phenotype compared to fewer than 15% before INKmune therapy. The patient remains well and with a significantly improved ECOG status.

Details of the presentations are as follows:

Title: Tumor-priming generates memory-like natural killer cells with universal anti-tumor functions

Poster: P-107

Session: Poster session 1

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that target virus-infected and tumor cells. NK cells are exciting candidates for cancer immunotherapy due to their fast-acting innate ability to mount anti-tumor responses and recently highlighted adaptive properties including priming and memory-like functions. Tumor-priming of NK cells through in-vitro exposure to tumor target cells pre-activates NK cells to demonstrate enhanced tumor cell lysis upon restimulation, generating long-term memory-like features. The generation of memory-like NK cells was previously reported following exposure to cytomegalovirus (CMV), interleukin (IL)-12/15/18 combinations or the tumor cell line NALM-16.

Story continues

Here, we report a novel type of tumor-induced memory-like (TIML) NK cell induced by the acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line, INB16. These TIML NK cells are generated in vitro over a period of seven days to show better expansion, survival, and proliferation relative to other memory-like NK cells, maintaining similar levels of enhanced NK cell anti-tumor functional abilities including tumor lysis, and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion against a wide range of tumor targets. Their unique phenotypic and gene expression signatures suggest a novel and distinct form of memory-like NK cell governed by tumor-specific signaling pathways. The universal and wide-acting function of these highly expanded NK cells may have important implications in the clinical setting to better mitigate challenges in low NK cell number and lytic ability.

A link to the abstract can be found here.

Title: Tumor-priming defines an intermediate stage in natural killer cell activity between resting and lytic stages for enhanced NK cell function upon re-stimulation

Poster: P-597

Session: Poster session 1

Natural killer (NK) cells are critical effector cells of the innate immune system belonging to the family of group one innate lymphocytes (ILCs). They display direct cytotoxicity against sensitive tumor targets and secrete a wide array of cytokines that help mount an effective immune response against cancer development and progression, making them attractive candidates for cancer immunotherapy.

We previously reported a tumor-priming approach to NK cell activation, whereby exposure to the acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line CTV-1 specifically activates NK cells to display more enhanced anti-tumoral functions. This has yielded encouraging results in clinical trials against acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Other groups reported a similar tumor-priming strategy for specific activation of NK cell anti-tumor responses using NALM-16. Still, the mechanisms involved in tumor-priming of NK cells remain to be elucidated, and it is unclear how the primed state can be achieved for optimal clinical benefit.

Here, we show that tumor-priming stimulates NK cells to a point along the lytic activation pathway for enhanced NK cell function upon re-stimulation. The primed state is achieved through exposure to less sensitive tumor targets that form fewer conjugates, and induce lower levels of avidity, degranulation, activation marker expression, pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and lysis by NK cells. This tumor-primed state leads to enhanced NK cell function upon re-stimulation and potent NK cell killing of previously insensitive tumor targets. Interestingly, tumor-priming of NK cells is achieved in the presence of inhibitory signals and can be achieved using whole cell or cell lysate preparations, which generate differential activation signatures relative to cytokine stimulation.

This may have important implications in the clinic, where continuous cytokine exposure is associated with a dose-limiting toxicity in patients. These findings help define the tumor-primed NK cell activation state for the development of more optimal NK cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies in cancer.

A link to the abstract can be found here.

About INKmune

INKmune is a pharmaceutical-grade, replication-incompetent human tumor cell line (derived from CTV-1) which conjugates to resting NK cells and delivers multiple, essential priming signals akin to treatment with at least three cytokines in combination. INKmune is stable at -80oC and is delivered by a simple IV infusion. The INKmune:NK interaction ligates multiple activating and co-stimulatory molecules on the NK cell and enhances its avidity of binding to tumor cells; notably those resistant to normal NK-mediated lysis. Tumor-primed NK (TpNK) cells can lyse a wide variety of NK-resistant tumors including leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer.

About INmune Bio, Inc.

INmune Bio, Inc. is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: INMB), clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments that target the innate immune system to fight disease. INmune Bio has two product platforms that are both in clinical trials. The DN-TNF product platform utilizes dominant-negative technology to selectively neutralize soluble TNF, a key driver of innate immune dysfunction and mechanistic target of many diseases. DN-TNF is in clinical trial to determine if it can treat cancer (INB03), Mild Alzheimers disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment and treatment resistant depression (XPro). The Natural Killer Cell Priming Platform includes INKmune aimed at priming the patients NK cells to eliminate minimal residual disease in patients with cancer. INmune Bios product platforms utilize a precision medicine approach for the treatment of a wide variety of hematologic malignancies, solid tumors and chronic inflammation. To learn more, please visit http://www.inmunebio.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Clinical trials are in early stages and there is no assurance that any specific outcome will be achieved. Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. INB03, XPro1595, and INKmune are still in clinical trials or preparing to start clinical trials and have not been approved and there cannot be any assurance that they will be approved or that any specific results will be achieved. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the Companys ability to produce more drug for clinical trials; the availability of substantial additional funding for the Company to continue its operations and to conduct research and development, clinical studies and future product commercialization; and, the Companys business, research, product development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans and strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the Companys Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release.

INmune Bio Contact:

David Moss, CFO (858) 964-3720info@inmunenbio.com

Investor Contact: Chuck Padala LifeSci Advisors (646) 627-8390

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INmune Bio, Inc. Announces Two Presentations at the 2021 British Society of Immunology Congress and Provides 119-day data on First patient in MDS...

Immunology

Sanofi to acquire Origimm Biotechnology, gaining therapeutic acne vaccine candidate – BioPharma-Reporter.com

It marks Sanofis first move into skin immunology and the skin microbiome as it champions its strategy to build an industry-leading vaccines pipeline.

Founded in 2012, Origimm specializes in the discovery of virulent skin microbiome components and antigens from bacteria causing skin disease, such as acne. Its therapeutic vaccine candidate for acne vulgaris ORI-001, is based on recombinant proteins, and entered preliminary clinical studies in Q3 this year.

In parallel, Sanofi is working to develop additional antigen versions and expects to leverage its mRNA platform in a Phase 1/2 trial to start in 2023.

The acquisition of Origimm further broadens our vaccines R&D pipeline with a first vaccine candidate against acne, a high medical need for millions of teenagers and adults, says Thomas Triomphe, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Sanofi Pasteur.

Welcoming Origimm within Sanofi expands our area of expertise by bringing extensive know-how in the field of skin microbiome and skin immunology. We look forward to unlocking the full potential of this candidate.

Origimm develops preventive and therapeutic products that act against those skin-colonizing bacteria that can induce skin disease. Unlike acne treatments, its therapy would address the root cause of the disease, rather than treat the symptoms.

Diseases caused by skin microbes are more complex than classic infections because the same microbes that appear harmless, or even beneficial, on the surface of skin can become pathogenic under certain conditions.

Origimm has identified the proteins produced by bacteria when it reacts to an increase in sebum secretion from the skin's pores, thus creating a specific immune response for when the bacterium breaches the skin.

Recent scientific findings about the role ofPropionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)in acne vulgaris have opened the path for the development of a new, highly specific and efficacious acne therapy,"notes Origimm.

"Our therapeutic product is designed to support the human immune system in controllingthe growth ofP. acneson the skin and prevent it from damaging the cellular lining of the pores.

"Our intention is not just to provide a more effective treatment of acne, but also to prevent its formation in the first place, thereby avoiding any potential skin damage (scarring). Therefore, both therapeutic and prophylactic immunotherapymay be possible.

The acquisition is expected to close early December 2021.

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Sanofi to acquire Origimm Biotechnology, gaining therapeutic acne vaccine candidate - BioPharma-Reporter.com

Immunology

The Importance of Immunology by Joe Murphy, Hampton School – This is Local London

Due to a challenging winter in the presence of the COVID pandemic, new variants of concern such as Omicron and an increase in the number of colds and flu, immunology has never been more important; hence, there has been a large rise in interest in this area of science. Immunology is the study of the immune system and how it can protect us from disease. This brief article derives from an interview with Dr Robert Busch who is a Senior Lecturer from the School of Life and Health Sciences at the University of Roehampton, whose research focuses on the immune system.

Immunology is very important in current times as it is essential for maintaining general human health, responding to disease and also for developing COVID-19 vaccines that can make the virus more survivable and less transmissible. Dr Busch recognises this as a difficult and tragic time for many people, and knowledge of immunology is of great importance.

Dr Buschs current research is focused on tissue antigens, which are molecules that trigger immune responses by activating other cells of the immune system. In particular he studies how the immune system kicks in when it is faced with infection, but is quiet at other times so that the body doesn't fight itself. Tissue antigens vary from one person to the next and this variation can influence the risk of autoimmunity (when the immune system attacks the bodys own tissues).

Other research that Dr Busch conducts is on Vitamin D which is also important for immune regulation and can influence how many tissue antigens are produced and their ability to function in response to different diseases. Vitamin D has also been of interest in relation to COVID; however, so far results have been contradictory and no clear conclusions can be drawn.

Dr Busch stated, There is much to discover in the future, such as studying new and existing diseases and creating new vaccines. Another aspect of immunology that needs to be researched further is the question of how to turn off an immune cell once it has been activated, without compromising the immune systems ability to fight infections. Dr Busch describes this as the Holy Grail of immunology. Essentially, the more we know about how our immune system reacts, the better we can make the interventions that will combat viruses and protect people.

Immunology is important now and will remain so in the future, and scientists such as Dr Robert Busch are paving the way in helping broaden our understanding of the immune system so that we can fight disease and stay healthy.

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The Importance of Immunology by Joe Murphy, Hampton School - This is Local London

Immunology

Western News – Western researcher helping bring HIV cure within reach – Western News

At first, in the medical fight against AIDS, there was only uncertainty.

Then researchers brought hope in the form of life-saving treatment antiretrovirals that stop HIV from replicating in an infected person and reduce the risk of transmission.

Now, as the international community marks World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, a cure could be within REACH.

Western University researcher Jessica Prodger is a collaborator in Research Enterprise to Advance a Cure for HIV (REACH), an ambitious multi-institutional project funded through the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

HIV is resilient and has, so far, been resistant to a cure. One key issue is that some of the virus, as it integrates itself into human DNA, becomes invisible to the immune system if the infected cells go dormant.But the cells retain the viral DNA, and if a person stopped taking antiretroviral treatment, the infection would reactivate and the virus would again replicate.

The work of REACH focuses on understanding this latent reservoir of infected cells and figuring out how to eliminate it.

Prodger, a professor of immunology and microbiology at Westerns Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, is a co-lead investigator in Weill Cornell Medicines new five-year, US$28.5million Martin Delaney Collaboratory grant from the NIH.

This is a huge endeavour involving 37 co-investigators, all of us attacking HIV from one important angle, Prodger said. The NIH Martin Delaney funding removes competition between individual groups, allowing us to organize cure research into large, well-funded teams, and I think were going to make huge strides.

Her research includes a study group of HIV-positive women and men in Uganda who are receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Her team has been tracking and quantifying the HIV reservoir in this cohort, and has made important discoveries, such as that latent HIV is not as easily reactivated in females.

Its one small, but vital, part in solving the larger HIV puzzle and finding a cure, said Prodger, who also holds a Canada Research Chair in genital immunology and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Burden of infection

Around the world, 38 million people live with human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) and require daily, lifelong medication.

In 2020 alone, about two million people contracted HIV and 690,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses, UNAIDS notes.

All told, 80 million people have contracted the virus; half of those have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

The heaviest burden of infection is still borne by people in low-income countries where different strains of HIV are in circulation, while most of the research is taking place in high-income countries among high-income populations with predominantly one HIV strain.

Shifting focus

But progress is taking place.

AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 64 per cent since the peak in 2004. Infection numbers last year were about half the number of infected in 1997.

Antiretrovirals and other medications are transforming HIV infection into a manageable chronic condition, and people who are on effective treatment cannot transmit the virus to others.

Scientists around the world, including many at Western, are working towards new treatments, cures and potential vaccines.

The focus of HIV research for the first 30 years (since HIV was first identified) was on treatment and prevention, to save lives and stop people from dying of AIDS.This has been hugely successful, Prodger said. The discovery of the reservoir came decades after the discovery of the virus, and the field has only just begun to focus on a cure, now that highly effective treatments have been developed.

The REACH team is composed of investigators with expertise in virology, immunology, clinical studies and community advocates.

With 18 different institutions involved, the REACH program is a model for harnessing the great power of many scientific communities and minds, said a news release from Weill CornellMedicine, based in New York.

The project team, led by Dr. Brad Jones,associateprofessor ofimmunology inmedicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Weill Cornell Medicine, received the Delaney Collaboratory grant in August 2021. The REACH Collaboratoryis co-led by Dr. Marina Caskey of The Rockefeller University.

This award represents a remarkable vote of confidence and recognition of Weill Cornell Medicine as an international hub of HIV cure research, Jones said in the news release. With this funding we will leverage novel technological and analytical methods to redefine how the immune system interacts with the HIV reservoir in people on therapy.

A cure either eradicating the virus in the body or suppressing the virus by boosting the immune system would end the need for lifelong medication.We believe that both of these outcomes are possible, but that they are complex andthere arechallenging problems to solve, Jones said.

Prodger emphasized its the collaboratorys collective work, not any one individuals, that will make the difference and, ultimately, lead to a cure.

Research is very much about building an enormous structure, brick by brick. You begin to see what an amazing thing this is when everyone adds their brick to the whole, she said.

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Immunology

UK professor impacted by Omicron travel restrictions – LEX18 Lexington KY News

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) First detected in the United States Wednesday, Omicron has rapidly become the dominant variant of the coronavirus in South Africa, a country that has held a special place in Dr. Zach Porterfield's heart.

An assistant professor of immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Porterfield told LEX 18 he has lived in South Africa on and off over the last 21 years. He has studied as an HIV virologist in the country, where he said doctors and scientists have been doing exceptional work researching COVID-19.

"We probably found [Omicron] in South Africa because there was a concerted effort to look," Dr. Porterfield said. "We have the expertise and technology to do that [genetic] sequencing."

Dr. Porterfield said he was planning to travel to South Africa next week, before learning about new travel restrictions imposed on South Africa and seven other African countries.

"I still have an apartment in Durban and projects and laboratory collaborations in South Africa that I was planning to return and try and set right," he said.

Although his plans may have been upended, Dr. Porterfield said he understands why President Joe Biden's administration implemented the latest travel bans.

"I think the right thing to do is take a moment to pause and think through what does this mean," he said.

President Biden explained earlier this week that while travel restrictions will not prevent the arrival of the variant, they could buy the administration time to prepare.

Health experts around the world, including representatives from the World Health Organization, have criticized the restrictions, suggesting they are ineffective and punitive.

"Blanket travel bans will not prevent the international spread of Omicron," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO. "And they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods."

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UK professor impacted by Omicron travel restrictions - LEX18 Lexington KY News