Company Description
Tiziana Life Sciences Ltd. (NASDAQ: TLSA) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. The company is described as a biotechnology and biopharmaceutical business that uses transformational drug delivery technologies to enable alternative routes of immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on intranasal administration.
Tiziana’s lead development candidate is intranasal foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb). According to company disclosures and recent announcements, foralumab is the only fully human anti-CD3 mAb currently in clinical development. It is designed to modulate the immune system, stimulate regulatory T cells when dosed intranasally, and reduce microglial activation, which is associated with neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions.
Core focus and therapeutic areas
The company’s programs center on neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Intranasal foralumab is being developed for conditions such as:
- Non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (na-SPMS)
- Alzheimer’s disease (early/mild stages)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Other neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative human diseases, as referenced in company materials
For na-SPMS, Tiziana reports that 14 patients have been dosed with intranasal foralumab in an open-label, intermediate-sized Expanded Access Program (NCT06802328), with either improvement or stability of disease seen within six months in all patients described in the program summary. In addition, intranasal foralumab is being studied in a Phase 2a, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, dose-ranging trial in patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (NCT06292923).
Intranasal foralumab and immunomodulation
Company communications state that foralumab, when administered intranasally, has been shown to stimulate T regulatory (Treg) cells. This immunomodulatory approach is intended to calm pathological neuroinflammation by influencing immune responses in the central nervous system. Tiziana highlights TSPO-PET imaging data in multiple sclerosis patients indicating that intranasal foralumab can reduce microglial activation, a marker of neuroinflammation.
In Alzheimer’s disease, Tiziana is conducting a Phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in early Alzheimer’s patients. The trial evaluates intranasal foralumab as monotherapy and in combination with FDA-approved anti-amyloid therapies lecanemab (Leqembi) or donanemab. The company describes this study as assessing safety, tolerability and potential efficacy, with endpoints that include neuroinflammation measured by TSPO-PET imaging, cognitive function, and biomarker changes related to amyloid and tau pathology.
Pipeline and indications
Beyond multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, Tiziana is advancing intranasal foralumab in a Phase 2 clinical trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The ALS trial has been accepted into the ALS MyMatch Program at the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General Brigham. Company statements note that preclinical and clinical evidence support the concept that nasally administered foralumab stimulates regulatory T cells in cervical lymph nodes, which then migrate to the central nervous system to suppress pathogenic inflammation and help restore microglial homeostasis.
Company disclosures also reference prior experience with foralumab administered intravenously in healthy volunteers, patients with Crohn’s disease, and kidney transplant recipients. The safety profile of intranasal foralumab is described as aligning with prior studies of foralumab delivered intravenously, while nasal administration has been associated with improved tolerability compared to infusion-related reactions seen with other anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies.
Drug delivery technologies and alternative immunotherapy routes
Tiziana characterizes itself as using transformational drug delivery technologies to enable alternative routes of immunotherapy. Its intranasal approach is described as having the potential to provide an improvement in efficacy, safety, and tolerability compared to traditional intravenous (IV) delivery. The company indicates that its technology for alternative routes of immunotherapy has been patented, with several patent applications pending, and that this platform is expected to allow for broad pipeline applications.
In addition to foralumab, Tiziana is developing TZLS-501, a fully human anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) monoclonal antibody. TZLS-501 targets both membrane-bound and soluble forms of IL-6R and is described as acting via a dual mechanism by inhibiting IL-6R signaling and depleting circulating levels of IL-6. Tiziana has announced its intention to develop TZLS-501 and related assets through a spinout into a separate publicly traded immunology-focused company, centered on the IL-6 market. Until any spinout is completed and approved by shareholders, TZLS-501 remains an asset of Tiziana Life Sciences.
Regulatory interactions and clinical safety reporting
The company submits regular safety updates for intranasal foralumab to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In one described Development Safety Update Report (DSUR), Tiziana reported no study drug-related serious adverse events after a cumulative exposure of 37.4 patient-years across its intranasal foralumab programs in neuroinflammatory diseases, including non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, multiple system atrophy and Alzheimer’s disease. Company statements emphasize that adverse events observed were consistent with previous reports and that no new risks were identified that required significant protocol modifications.
Tiziana’s shares trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol TLSA. The company files reports as a foreign private issuer on Form 20-F and furnishes current reports on Form 6-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These filings often include press releases about clinical milestones, conference presentations, financing decisions, and other corporate updates.
Corporate activities and investor communications
Recent company announcements furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission describe Tiziana’s participation in healthcare and life sciences conferences, including events such as BIO-Europe, the Jefferies London Healthcare Conference, the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Life Science Innovation Forum, and the Neuroscience Innovation Forum organized by Sachs Associates. These events are used to present corporate overviews, highlight the clinical pipeline, and discuss recent milestones with investors and partners.
Tiziana has also reported insider share purchases by senior leadership and the withdrawal of a proposed public offering of common shares due to market conditions. The company has participated in ceremonial events such as ringing the Nasdaq Closing Bell, which it has described as recognizing progress in its intranasal foralumab program and its broader work in immunomodulation therapies.
Business context and sector classification
Based on available classifications, Tiziana Life Sciences operates in the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing industry within the broader manufacturing sector, while also being described as a biotechnology and clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. Its work spans drug discovery, clinical development, and drug delivery platforms, with a focus on immune modulation for central nervous system and inflammatory diseases.