Altamira Therapeutics’ Peptide-Based Delivery Platform Shown to Enhance Potency of Commonly Used Gene Delivery Method as Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal
Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: CYTO) announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study showing enhanced cell transduction with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors using their peptide-based delivery technology. The study demonstrated increased potency, potentially reducing AAV immunogenicity and resistance to AAVs in certain cell types. The research evaluated 76 melittin derivatives, including p5RHH, which successfully enhanced cell transduction and transduced cell lines typically resistant to AAVs. In vivo studies in mice showed significant liver transduction enhancements with the addition of p5RHH to AAV capsids of several serotypes, up to four weeks after administration. Altamira's technology has the potential to lower the risk of immune responses and increase the safety of AAV-based vectors, opening new possibilities in gene therapy for cells and tissues typically resistant to transduction.
The recent findings regarding Altamira's peptide-based delivery technology represent a significant advancement in the field of gene therapy. By incorporating the p5RHH peptide into AAV vectors, researchers have observed enhanced transduction efficiency, which is crucial for the delivery of genetic material into cells. This has the potential to reduce the dosage required for therapeutic effect, thereby mitigating the immunogenicity associated with higher dosages of AAVs.
In the context of medical research and drug development, this technology could lead to more efficient and potentially safer gene therapies. The ability to transduce cell lines that are typically resistant to AAVs expands the scope of diseases that could be targeted by gene therapy. As such, this could have a profound impact on the treatment of genetic disorders, particularly those that currently lack effective therapies.
Furthermore, the reduced immunogenicity could lead to better patient outcomes and reduced side effects, which are significant considerations in the regulatory approval process and market acceptance of new therapies. This could translate into a competitive advantage for Altamira in the gene therapy market and potentially increase investor confidence in the company's technology platforms.
The publication of the independent study in a peer-reviewed journal adds credibility to Altamira's technology, which could have favorable implications for the company's stock valuation. Investors often look for such validations as indicators of potential future success in biotechnology firms. The enhanced efficiency of AAV vectors is a key driver for reducing treatment costs, which can be a major factor in a therapy's commercial viability and market penetration.
It is also important to consider the patent landscape and intellectual property rights associated with this technology. If Altamira holds exclusive rights to the use of p5RHH in AAV vectors, it could secure a unique position in the market and possibly generate licensing revenue from other companies seeking to use this technology in their gene therapy products.
However, it is essential to monitor the progression from these initial findings to clinical trials and eventual market approval. The timeline for such developments can be lengthy and is fraught with regulatory hurdles. Investors should assess the long-term potential and risks associated with Altamira's pipeline, including the scalability of production and the company's ability to navigate the clinical trial process.
From a pharmacological perspective, the integration of p5RHH into AAV vectors could represent a paradigm shift in the delivery mechanism of gene therapies. The ability of melittin derivatives to facilitate endosomal escape is a critical step in ensuring that the therapeutic nucleic acids reach their target within the cell. This not only improves the efficacy of the gene therapy but also could lead to a reduction in the necessary dose, which is directly correlated with a decrease in potential adverse immune reactions.
It is essential to understand that while the study's in vivo results in mice are promising, human physiology can present different challenges. The transition from preclinical studies to human clinical trials will require careful examination of the safety profile of the modified AAV vectors. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these vectors will need to be thoroughly investigated to determine optimal dosing regimens for different conditions and patient populations.
02/07/2024 - 08:47 AM
HAMILTON, BERMUDA, Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Independent peer-reviewed study shows enhanced cell transduction with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, commonly used in gene therapy, when integrating Altamira’s peptide-based delivery technology
Increased potency may help to reduce AAV immunogenicity and resistance to AAVs in certain cell types HAMILTON, BERMUDA, Feb. 7, 2024 -- Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: CYTO) ("Altamira" or the "Company"), a company providing nanoparticle-based technology for efficient RNA delivery to extrahepatic targets, announced today the publication of a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Integrative Medicine titled, "Melittin analog p5RHH enhances recombinant adeno-associated virus transduction efficiency". This work evaluates the use of various peptides to enhance adeno-associated virus (AAV) cell transduction and was conducted by an independent research group.1 Recombinant AAVs are commonly used as carriers to introduce nucleic acids in cells for gene therapy; several AAV-based gene therapy drugs have already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The study sought to find ways of increasing the endosomal release of AAV-based therapeutics by using peptides derived from melittin, a component of bee venom known for its ability to permeabilize biological membranes. The research group evaluated 76 melittin derivatives, including p5RHH, the peptide underlying Altamira’s OligoPhore™ / SemaPhore™ nanoparticle platform for RNA delivery. The scientists discovered that insertion of p5RHH into the AAV vector (p5RHH-rAAV) not only enhanced cell transduction, but also succeeded in transducing cell lines typically considered resistant to AAVs. Further, an in vivo study in mice showed that the addition of p5RHH to the AAV capsid of several AAV serotypes significantly enhanced liver transduction compared to non-modified AAV vectors, observed up to the last time point four weeks after systemic administration.
“The study results once again highlight the strong capability of our technology to promote the release of nucleic acids from the endosome into the cytoplasm, which has remained a key limiting factor for both non-viral vectors and viral-derived delivery vehicles such as AAVs,” commented Covadonga Pañeda, Ph.D., Altamira Therapeutics’ Chief Operating Officer. “Better transduction efficiency means that lower doses of AAVs may be used, which could lower the risk for deleterious immune responses and increase the safety of AAV-based vectors. In addition, the integration of the p5RHH peptide into different serotypes of AAV vectors may open new possibilities in AAV-based gene therapy in cells and tissues that are not typically amenable to AVV transduction.”
About Altamira Therapeutics
Altamira Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CYTO) is developing and supplying peptide-based nanoparticle technologies for efficient RNA delivery to extrahepatic tissues (OligoPhore™ / SemaPhore™ platforms). The Company currently has two flagship siRNA programs using its proprietary delivery technology: AM-401 for KRAS driven cancer and AM-411 for rheumatoid arthritis, both in preclinical development beyond in vivo proof of concept. The versatile delivery platform is also suited for mRNA and other RNA modalities and made available to pharma or biotech companies through out-licensing. In addition, Altamira holds a 49% stake (with additional economic rights) in its commercial-stage legacy asset Bentrio®, an OTC nasal spray for allergic rhinitis. Further, the Company is in the process of partnering / divesting its inner ear legacy assets (AM-125 nasal spray for vertigo; post Phase 2; Keyzilen® and Sonsuvi® for tinnitus and hearing loss; Phase 3). Founded in 2003, Altamira is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, with its main operations in Basel, Switzerland. For more information, visit: https://altamiratherapeutics.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and may include statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or Altamira’s strategies or expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may", "might", "will", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "projects", "potential", "outlook" or "continue", or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the success of strategic transactions, including licensing or partnering, with respect to Altamira’s legacy assets, Altamira’s need for and ability to raise substantial additional funding to continue the development of its product candidates, the clinical utility of Altamira’s product candidates, the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, Altamira’s intellectual property position and Altamira’s financial position, including the impact of any future acquisitions, dispositions, partnerships, license transactions or changes to Altamira’s capital structure, including future securities offerings. These risks and uncertainties also include, but are not limited to, those described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Altamira’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, and in Altamira’s other filings with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available free of charge on the SEC’s website at: www.sec.gov
1 Meng et al. (2024), Melittin analog p5RHH enhances recombinant adeno-associated virus transduction efficiency, J Integr Med, in press.
What is the ticker symbol for Altamira Therapeutics Ltd.?
The ticker symbol for Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. is CYTO.
What did the peer-reviewed study show about Altamira's peptide-based delivery technology?
The study demonstrated enhanced cell transduction with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors using Altamira's peptide-based delivery technology, potentially reducing AAV immunogenicity and resistance to AAVs in certain cell types.
How many melittin derivatives were evaluated in the study?
The study evaluated 76 melittin derivatives, including p5RHH, which successfully enhanced cell transduction and transduced cell lines typically resistant to AAVs.
What did the in vivo studies in mice show?
The in vivo studies in mice showed significant liver transduction enhancements with the addition of p5RHH to AAV capsids of several serotypes, up to four weeks after administration.
What is the potential impact of Altamira's technology on gene therapy?
Altamira's technology has the potential to lower the risk of immune responses and increase the safety of AAV-based vectors, opening new possibilities in gene therapy for cells and tissues typically resistant to transduction.
