Tiziana Life Sciences Ltd (NASDAQ:TLSA) announced that it has secured a $4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance research of nasal anti-CD3 as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
The company has been developing a fully human, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody called intranasal foramulab, which has demonstrated a favorable safety profile and clinical response in studies to date.
The grant was awarded to Dr Howard Weiner, chairman of Tiziana’s Scientific Advisory Board and co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of Mass General Brigham healthcare system.
It will support Tiziana’s ongoing research efforts, including advancing preclinical studies and preparations for clinical trials.
Research will be focused on the potential of anti-CD3 to regulate immune system activity, decrease neuroinflammation, and slow Alzheimer's disease progression.
The company's unique anti-CD3 formulation is delivered intranasally, binding to T cell receptors and activating T regulatory cells for transport to the central nervous system.
“We are thrilled to be able to progress our pipeline with this prestigious NIH grant, which underscores the potential of our anti-CD3 therapy to address a critical unmet need in Alzheimer’s disease,” Tiziana CEO Ivor Elrifi commented.
“This funding will enable us to expand our research and move one step closer to developing a new therapeutic option for patients and families impacted by this debilitating condition. At Tiziana, we remain committed to advancing science that could improve the quality of life for patients through groundbreaking immunotherapies.”
Weiner added that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than 6 million people in the United States alone.
“Despite extensive research, effective treatments remain limited, and the need for innovative therapeutic approaches is urgent,” he said.