Strong Ph I/IIa data for Apitope's MS vacc

Bristol, UK-based Apitope Technology, a developer of peptide-based therapies, has completed dosing for all six multiple sclerosis patients in a Phase I/IIa trial of ATX-MS-1467. According to the firm, its investigational therapeutic vaccine was safe and well tolerated in secondary progressive MS patients.

Although efficacy was not an endpoint of this trial, one patient, with optic neuritis resulting from the neuro-inflammatory process involved in MS, did show a clinically-significant improvement in visual acuity post treatment. This was demonstrated in analysis of the initial visual acuity examination at screening compared to the one month follow up test. Initial screening sight measurements of 6/24 and 6/9 (in right and left eye, respectively) improved to 6/9 (right eye) and 6/6 (left eye) post treatment. The patient's secondary progressive disease had been gradually worsening over the past five years, the firm noted.

David Wraith, chief scientific officer of Apitope, noted that, "one of our patients has shown a remarkable improvement in her eyesight. Since the optic nerve is acutely sensitive to inflammation and optic neuritis is often one of the first symptoms of MS, this early indication of efficacy is very encouraging. It suggests that treatment with ATX-MS-1467 can suppress the inflammation associated with MS. Now we are excellently positioned to begin proof-of-concept trials."