OSLO, Norway, Nov. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nykode Therapeutics ASA (OSE: NYKD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel immunotherapies, today announced new findings related to its APC-targeted inverse vaccine platform’s efficacy in treating autoimmune disease at the annual PEGS Europe conference in Barcelona.

The data presented emphasize the role of antigen-presenting cell (APC) targeting in achieving therapeutic effectiveness, particularly in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). Findings from both therapeutic and preventive applications support the platform’s potential in providing targeted, effective treatment for MS, an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 2.8 million people worldwide, with a high annual economic burden and a significant unmet medical need for new treatments.

Nykode’s latest data confirm that APC targeting by the inverse vaccine is essential for achieving effective therapeutic outcomes, demonstrating superior efficacy over a non-targeted vaccine or antigen alone. When applied therapeutically, a new version of Nykode’s inverse vaccine provides robust disease protection in a relapsing-remitting EAE model which better reflect the relapsing-remitting disease in human MS. This result builds upon prior findings and includes efficacy of an alternative central nervous system autoantigen, broadening the inverse vaccine’s potential applicability in MS treatment. Aligned with these outcomes, mice treated with the Nykode inverse vaccine exhibit a marked reduction in disease-associated inflammatory cytokine release following disease induction. This reduction aligns with mitigated disease severity and inflammation, highlighting the therapeutic potential of the Nykode inverse vaccine in immune disorders.

“These data provide valuable insights into the role of APC-targeted vaccines in delivering effective therapeutic responses in different EAE models, relevant to the clinical treatment of MS and supports the broader potential of our technology in inducing tolerance in multiple settings,” said Agnete Fredriksen, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder of Nykode. “We are pleased to share these findings at PEGS Europe and to further explore APC-targeted approaches for autoimmune diseases.”

About Nykode Therapeutics

Nykode Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel immunotherapies with a focus on the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Nykode’s modular vaccine technology specifically targets antigens to antigen presenting cells (APC), employed with their cancer vaccines to induce a broad, strong and long-lasting antigen specific immune response, which correlates with clinical responses in cancer patients.

Nykode’s lead product candidates are VB10.16, a therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of HPV16 induced malignancies, which demonstrated favorable safety and efficacy results from its Phase 2 trial for the treatment of cervical cancer. VB10.16 is being expanded into multiple trials for treatment of head and neck cancer and cervical cancer. VB10.NEO, an individualized cancer neoantigen vaccine, is exclusively out-licensed to Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

The Company’s partnerships include Genentech within oncology, and a multi-target collaboration with Regeneron in oncology and infectious diseases.

Nykode is also utilizing its APC-targeted technology to create an inverse vaccine platform for the potential use in autoimmune disorders, organ transplant rejections, anti-drug antibody reactions and allergy.

Nykode Therapeutics’ shares are traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: NYKD). Further information about Nykode Therapeutics can be found at http://www.nykode.com.

Forward-looking statements for Nykode Therapeutics

This announcement and any materials distributed in connection with this announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect the company's current expectations and assumptions as to future events and circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of material factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Contact for Nykode Therapeutics ASA:

Alexandra Deschner, Head of IR
Nykode Therapeutics ASA
IR@nykode.com

Nykode Therapeutics ASA

Oslo Science Park
Gaustadalléen 21
N-0349 Oslo, Norway