Matinas BioPharma Demonstrates in vivo Biological Activity and Disease Improvement in Two Inflammatory Disease Models with Oral LNC-Delivered Small Oligonucleotides
- Successful oral delivery of LNC-formulated small oligonucleotides targeting key inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-17A
- Significant reductions in serum TNFα levels and tissue IL-17A mRNA
- Improvements in clinical disease markers in acute colitis and psoriasis models
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The recent findings from Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. regarding the oral delivery of LNC-formulated small oligonucleotides targeting TNFα and IL-17A represent a significant advancement in the field of drug delivery systems and anti-inflammatory therapeutics. The importance of these results lies in the potential shift towards non-invasive oral administration of drugs that traditionally required intravenous or injected routes, which could greatly enhance patient compliance and expand the therapeutic window for certain diseases.
From a medical research perspective, the use of lipid nanocrystal technology to facilitate the oral bioavailability of small oligonucleotides is particularly noteworthy. Small oligonucleotides have typically faced challenges in reaching targeted sites within the body due to degradation and poor absorption. The LNC platform's ability to protect these molecules and deliver them effectively to the site of inflammation could open up new avenues for treating a range of inflammatory conditions, such as colitis and psoriasis, that are currently managed with less targeted or more invasive therapies.
The reported reductions in cytokine mRNA levels and improvements in disease activity scores are promising, but it is crucial to contextualize these findings within the broader landscape of preclinical and clinical research. Further studies will be necessary to confirm these results in human subjects and to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of these treatments. Nonetheless, the potential for these LNC-formulated oligonucleotides to interfere with cytokine synthesis, rather than simply neutralizing the cytokines, may offer a more strategic approach to modulating the immune response in inflammatory diseases.
The announcement by Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. is likely to have a notable impact on the biotech industry, especially within the niche of drug delivery technologies. The LNC platform's success in oral delivery of oligonucleotides marks a significant differentiation in a market that is heavily reliant on parenteral administration for such therapies. This innovation could potentially disrupt the current treatment paradigms for inflammatory diseases by providing a more convenient and less invasive option for patients.
Investors and stakeholders in the biotech sector should monitor the progression of Matinas' LNC technology closely, as it has implications for the company's value and its competitive edge. The ability to expand beyond hepatic targeting and achieve extra-hepatic delivery could position Matinas favorably against competitors. However, the path to commercialization for these therapies is often long and fraught with regulatory hurdles. The company's next steps, including further optimization of the oligonucleotides and the exploration of therapeutic targets, will be critical in determining its future prospects.
It's also worth considering the potential for strategic partnerships or licensing agreements that Matinas might pursue, leveraging its LNC technology. As the industry continues to evolve towards precision medicine, technologies that enable targeted delivery and improved patient outcomes are highly sought after. This could lead to collaborations with larger pharmaceutical companies seeking to enhance their own pipelines with novel delivery mechanisms.
The data released by Matinas BioPharma could be of considerable interest to investors, as it suggests progress in a novel drug delivery system with the potential to capture market share in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The ability to administer small oligonucleotides orally rather than through injections could lead to a paradigm shift, making the company's LNC platform a valuable asset.
From a financial standpoint, the potential market for non-invasive treatments for conditions like colitis and psoriasis is substantial. The success of this technology could lead to increased market capitalization for Matinas, particularly if these findings translate into successful human clinical trials. The anticipation of such outcomes may drive investor optimism and could result in increased stock volatility in the short term.
However, investors should also be aware of the risks associated with investing in clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies. The costs associated with further development, clinical trials and the regulatory approval process are significant and there is no guarantee of market approval or commercial success. Moreover, the competitive landscape in which Matinas operates is subject to rapid changes, with new technologies and treatments emerging regularly. As such, a critical and measured assessment of the company's financial health, research and development pipeline and strategic direction is essential for informed investment decisions.
In an acute colitis model, data show statistically significant knockdown of elevated levels of serum TNFα, reductions in tissue TNFα mRNA and improvement in disease activity scores
In an acute psoriasis model, data show reductions in tissue IL-17A mRNA and improvement in clinical disease markers including skin lesions
BEDMINSTER, N.J, Dec. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: MTNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering groundbreaking therapies using its lipid nanocrystal (LNC) platform technology, announces results from a series of in vivo studies demonstrating successful oral delivery of two LNC-formulated small single-strand oligonucleotides that specifically target key inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-17A in well-established and validated animal models that mimic acute inflammatory responses seen in human diseases.
“These studies demonstrate successful oral delivery and biological activity of two different LNC-formulated small oligonucleotides targeting inflammatory cytokines with reductions in tissue cytokine mRNA in both colitis and psoriasis, along with significant reductions in serum TNFα levels in colitis. Commensurate improvements in clinical disease markers and scores were also documented in both models,” said James Ferguson, M.D., Matinas’ Chief Medical Officer.
“While additional study is warranted, the successful oral delivery of small oligonucleotides is very exciting and we believe these data demonstrate how Matinas’ LNC platform could be used for the oral delivery of functional small oligonucleotides with potential therapeutic applications,” Dr. Ferguson added. “Importantly, the unique nature of the particular oligonucleotides evaluated in these studies, which interfere with cytokine synthesis rather than simply targeting the cytokine itself, creates additional opportunities for potential future applications of LNC-delivered therapeutics, either alone or in combination with other therapeutics with different mechanisms of action.”
Earlier this year, Matinas established the in vitro potency of these proprietary oligonucleotides and their LNC formulations in knocking down their respective cytokine targets in cultured cells. Both were advanced to in vivo studies to evaluate meaningful biological activity in relevant disease models.
Acute Colitis Study (TNFα)
A dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine colitis model was used to evaluate an orally administered LNC-delivered small oligonucleotide that specifically targets TNFα mRNA synthesis. Colon tissue TNFα mRNA levels, as assessed by quantitative real-time PCR analysis, were lower following orally administered active LNCs, resulting in statistically significant reductions of serum TNFα levels by
Acute Psoriasis Study (IL-17A)
An imiquimod (IMQ)-induced murine psoriasis model was used to evaluate an orally administered, LNC-delivered small oligonucleotide designed to inhibit IL-17A mRNA synthesis, which contributes significantly to the progression of psoriatic skin lesions. Similar to the DSS colitis model, skin tissue levels of IL-17A mRNA in the IMQ psoriasis model were lower with orally administered active LNCs compared with IMQ alone. In this model, while IL-17A serum levels were not expected to change, improvement was demonstrated in clinical disease markers of skin redness and scaling, further validating the biological activity of these small oligonucleotides.
Additional tissue and histologic analyses from both studies are ongoing and the Company plans to present these data at future scientific meetings.
“We believe that our proprietary encapsulation and oral delivery methods could be applied to other small oligonucleotides, including RNAi therapeutics such as siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides,” said Jerome D. Jabbour, Chief Executive Officer of Matinas. “While a variety of methods for administering small oligonucleotides exist, most are primarily directed to the liver, and none provide oral administration and delivery capabilities. The opportunity to orally deliver small oligonucleotides with extra-hepatic targeting could be key differentiating features in rapidly advancing anti-inflammatory therapy.
“We plan to further review the data from these inflammatory disease models to determine the best path forward for this program,” he added. “Further study and optimization of these LNC-delivered small oligonucleotides will be required to assess the most appropriate therapeutic targets and the associated magnitude of benefit.”
About Matinas BioPharma
Matinas BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering groundbreaking therapies using its lipid nanocrystal (LNC) platform delivery technology.
Matinas’ lead LNC-based therapy is MAT2203, an oral formulation of the broad-spectrum antifungal drug amphotericin B, which although highly potent, can be associated with significant toxicity. Matinas’ LNC platform provides oral delivery of amphotericin B without the significant nephrotoxicity otherwise associated with IV-delivered formulations. MAT2203 also allows for safe, longer-term use outside of a hospital setting, which could have substantial favorable pharmacoeconomic impact. MAT2203 was successfully evaluated in the completed Phase 2 EnACT study in cryptococcal meningitis, meeting its primary endpoint and achieving robust survival. MAT2203 will be further evaluated as an oral step-down monotherapy treatment following IV amphotericin B in a single pivotal Phase 3 study in the treatment of aspergillosis in persons with limited treatment options who are unable to be treated with azoles for reasons related to drug-drug interactions, resistance or for whom these antifungal agents are unable to be used for other clinical reasons.
In addition to MAT2203, preclinical and clinical data have demonstrated that this novel technology can potentially provide solutions to many of the challenges standing in the way of achieving safe and effective intracellular delivery of both small molecules and larger, more complex molecular cargos such as small oligonucleotides such as ASOs and siRNA. The combination of its unique mechanism of action and flexibility with routes of administration (including oral) positions Matinas’ LNC technology to potentially become a preferred next-generation orally available intracellular drug delivery platform. For more information, please visit www.matinasbiopharma.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to our business activities, our strategy and plans, the potential of our LNC platform technology, and the future development of its product candidates, including MAT2203, the Company’s ability to identify and pursue development, licensing and partnership opportunities for its products, including MAT2203, or platform delivery technologies on favorable terms, if at all, and the ability to obtain required regulatory approval and other statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "could," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to obtain additional capital to meet our liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all, including the additional capital which will be necessary to complete the clinical trials of our product candidates; our ability to successfully complete research and further development and commercialization of our product candidates; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing; the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; our ability to protect the Company’s intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel or consultants; competition; changes in the regulatory landscape or the imposition of regulations that affect the Company’s products; and the other factors listed under "Risk Factors" in our filings with the SEC, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Matinas BioPharma’s product candidates are all in a development stage and are not available for sale or use.
Investor Contact
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