Rochester, NY – Vaccinex, Inc. announced today that it presented preclinical results from testing of antibodies against SEMA4D for the potential treatment of multiple sclerosis at the 2013 annual meeting of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Copenhagen, Denmark (October 2nd– 5th).
SEMA4D has been shown to induce growth cone collapse of neurons and to induce process extension collapse and apoptosis of oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, SEMA4D has been demonstrated to inhibit oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Vaccinex has developed an anti-SEMA4D monoclonal antibody that prevents SEMA4D from engaging its cognate receptors PLEXINB1 and CD72. Vaccinex has shown that treatment with anti-SEMA4D MAbs attenuates the severity of EAE in several mouse EAE models. Data from preclinical studies was presented suggesting that anti-SEMA4D antibody participates in promoting remyelination and repair of damage to the Central Nervous System, protecting the integrity of the blood brain barrier during neuroinflammatory disease and reducing inflammation. A randomized, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose Phase 1 study in MS patients began in 2012 and subjects are now being enrolled in the third dose cohort.

A link to the pertinent presentation is provided below.
(ECTRIMS) - Development of an anti-SEMA4D monoclonal antibody for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

About Vaccinex, Inc.
Founded in 1997 and located in Rochester, NY, Vaccinex, Inc. is a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of human therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and vaccines to treat serious diseases with unmet needs, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases. www.vaccinex.com.