#ECTRIMS2016 – Oryzon to Present Positive Preclinical Data on Potential MS Therapy

Researchers from Oryzon will present efficacy data on the company’s oral epigenetic drug ORY-2001, a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) congress taking place this week in London.

The poster presentation, “LSD1 inhibition, a potential epigenetic therapeutic approach for the treatment of multiple sclerosis,” is based on findings from an animal model of MS after treatment with ORY-2001.

ORY-2001 is a highly selective inhibitor of LSD1 and MAOB. LSD1 is an enzyme able to regulate the expression of many genes important in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, viral infections, and cancer, among others illnesses. By blocking LSD1 activity, ORY-2001 can modify gene expression, and for this reason is referred to as an epigenetic drug (epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression).

Researchers used a common experimental animal model of MS, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model, and found that treatment with ORY-2001 reduced disease incidence and severity.

The findings are the first to show that epigenetic modulation could potentially be a successful treatment option for MS, the company said.

“[T]he positive results obtained in different animal models of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders suggest that common components controlled by epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to different diseases and suggests a way to explore novel therapies,” Tamara Maes, PhD, co-founder, vice president and chief scientific officer of Oryzon, said in a company press release.

Oryzon also announced that Dr. Xavier Montalban, an MS specialist and member of ECTRIMS’ Executive Committee, has joined its Scientific Advisory Board to assist it in further exploring the clinical potential of LSD1 inhibitors, such as ORY-2001, to treat neuroinflammatory disorders like MS.

The 32nd ECTRIMS congress runs through Sept. 17 and is considered the “world’s largest annual international conference devoted to basic and clinical research in MS.” This year’s congress brings together over 8,000 clinical and research professionals in neuroscience and MS, and includes 61 different topic sessions. More than 2,000 abstracts will be presented.