Potential MS Treatment Targeting CD3 Receptor Moving into Development

Tiziana Life Sciences, plc, a biotechnology company specializing in drugs to treat immunological and oncological diseases,  recently announced its intent to further develop foralumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the CD3 receptor. This approach, aiming to modulate the immune T cell response and achieve immunosuppression, is well-validated and has the potential to treat autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).

Tiziana also announced that two researchers will join its Scientific Advisory Board: Professors Howard Weiner, MD, and Kevan Herold, MD. They will set in place a clinical development strategy for foralumab, which the company plans to first evaluate in graft vs host disease and in ulcerative colitis.

“The addition of Professors Herold and Weiner to Tiziana’s Scientific Advisory Board marks a vital step for the company,” said Gabriele Cerrone, executive chairman of Tiziana, in a recent press release. “Prof. Herold’s previous experience in CD3 antibody research will be invaluable in planning the clinical strategy for foralumab, and he will take on a major role in its further development. In addition, Prof. Weiner brings a wealth of expertise in the field of immunology and regulation of processes that govern cancer and autoimmune disease, which will also be critical as we build out our anti-CD3 clinical strategy and the development of our fully human antibody asset, foralumab.”

Dr. Herold is a professor of Endocrinology and Immunobiology at the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, as well as the director of the Yale Diabetes Center and of the Yale TrialNet Center. His research has focused on strategies to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases, using new translational metabolic and immunological methods to prevent disease progression, particularly in the field of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody therapy. Dr. Herold’s interests are focused on the management of endocrine conditions, and he is involved in several international and national investigations into new treatment options.

Dr. Weiner, the Robert L. Kroc Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, is the founder and director of the Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center, and co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. Dr. Weiner is a pioneer in the use of immunotherapy in MS patients, and his work has focused on the understanding of immunological mechanisms in neurological conditions. He also has been a leader in the study of the mucosal immune system and the use of anti-CD3 to stimulate regulatory T cells as a potential immune disease treatment.

The Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center, located at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, is a leading institution in the integration of comprehensive MS patient care and clinical research, including MRI imaging and immune system monitoring of MS patients as part of the 2,000 patient CLIMB cohort research study.