PRESS RELEASE : ABIVAX PUBLISHES REVIEW IN DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY ON MECHANISM OF ACTION AND TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF ABX464 AS THERAPY FOR INFLAMMATORY DISEASES

 
 DGAP-News: ABIVAX / Key word(s): Scientific publication 
ABIVAX PUBLISHES REVIEW IN DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY ON MECHANISM OF ACTION AND 
TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF ABX464 AS THERAPY FOR INFLAMMATORY DISEASES 
 
2021-01-05 / 19:00 
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 
 
*Abivax Publishes Review in Drug Discovery Today on Mechanism of Action and 
Transformative Potential of ABX464 as Therapy for Inflammatory Diseases* 
 
  · *Scientific review summarizes the molecular events leading to potent 
  anti-inflammatory effects of lead molecule ABX464, centered around the specific 
  upregulation of microRNA-124 (miR-124)* 
 
  · *Scientific data underpins ABX464's potential to treat the root cause of 
  inflammation explaining its efficacious induction and maintenance of clinical 
  remission in Phase 2a ulcerative colitis clinical studies* 
 
  · *The conclusions reinforce ABX464's blockbuster potential across various 
  inflammatory disease indications with high unmet medical needs* 
 
*PARIS, January 5, 2021 - 7:00 p.m. (CET)* - Abivax (Euronext Paris: FR0012333284 - 
ABVX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the immune system to 
develop novel treatments for inflammatory diseases, viral diseases and cancer, 
today announced that the Company published an invited review [1] in the renowned 
journal _Drug Discovery Today_ on the "Specific and selective induction of miR-124 
in immune cells by ABX464: a transformative therapy for inflammatory diseases". 
 
*Prof. Hartmut J. Ehrlich, M.D., CEO of Abivax, said: *"Our recent publication in 
Drug Discovery Today once again demonstrates the unique mechanism of action and 
transformative potential of our lead drug candidate ABX464 to effectively and 
durably treat chronic inflammatory diseases. We are therefore very much looking 
forward to seeing the results of our ongoing clinical trials which are expected in 
Q2 2021, namely the Phase 2b trial in UC, the Phase 2a trial in rheumatoid 
arthritis as well as the Phase 2b/3 study in Covid-19 disease with the objective to 
prevent hyper-inflammation in high-risk patients. We are also keen to initiate the 
pivotal Phase 2b/3 clinical study in Crohn's disease in the course of this year. 
The review, describing the potent anti-inflammatory pathways of ABX464, also backs 
our assumption of ABX464's blockbuster potential across various chronic 
inflammatory diseases. Abivax will therefore continue to investigate possible 
additional indications in which the molecule could substantially improve the lives 
of patients in need of new, efficient and long-term effective therapeutic options." 
 
In clinical studies for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, ABX464 is the 
first-in-class small molecule that has shown to induce and upregulate a specific 
microRNA, miR-124, in human immune cells leading to a robust and long-lasting 
anti-inflammatory effect in UC patients. The review summarizes the multiple effects 
of ABX464 in dampening inflammatory processes through the downregulation of several 
critical pro-inflammatory cytokines and cells, like TNFa, IL-6, MCP-1, IL-17 and 
Th17+ cells, emphasizing the potential of Abivax's lead drug candidate as an 
efficient and long-term effective therapy for the treatment of inflammatory 
diseases. 
 
_"By increasing the expression of miR-124 in the immune system cells, ABX464 
inhibits the excessive inflammatory response that causes inflammatory diseases, 
such as ulcerative colitis. The scientific publication shows that miR-124 acts as 
an endogenous regulator of inflammation that limits the activation of the 
signalling pathways which are responsible for the expression of pro-inflammatory 
cytokines,"_ *explained Prof. Jamal Tazi, Ph.D., Vice President Research at 
Abivax*. _"This is the reason why ABX464 treats the root cause of inflammation at 
the molecular level, and consequently explains its efficacy in inducing and 
maintaining the clinical remission that we observed in Phase 2a clinical trials in 
ulcerative colitis patients along with a good safety and tolerability profile."_ 
 
*About ABX464's Mechanism of Action* 
ABX464 is a highly differentiated oral drug candidate, with a novel mechanism of 
action based on the upregulation of a single microRNA (miR-124) with potent 
anti-inflammatory properties. ABX464 was shown to exert its anti-inflammatory 
effects through binding to the cap binding complex (CBC), which sits at the 5' end 
of every RNA molecule in the cell. By binding to the CBC, ABX464 reinforces the 
biological functions of CBC in cellular RNA biogenesis. Specifically, ABX464 
enhances the selective splicing of a single long non-coding RNA to generate the 
anti-inflammatory microRNA, miR-124, which downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines 
and chemokines like TNF-a, IL-6,MCP-1 and IL-17, as well as Th17+ cells thereby 
"putting a brake" on inflammation and suggesting broad potential as a novel 
anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent. A seven- to ten-fold increase in miRNA-124 
levels was observed in colorectal biopsies of UC patients treated with ABX464. 
ABX464 does not impact the splicing of cellular genes. 
 
*About Abivax (www.abivax.com)* 
Abivax, a clinical stage biotechnology company, is mobilizing the body's natural 
immune machinery to treat patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, viral 
infections, and cancer. Abivax is listed on Euronext compartment C (ISIN: 
FR0012333284 - Mnémo: ABVX). Based in Paris and Montpellier, Abivax has two drug 
candidates in clinical development, ABX464 to treat severe inflammatory diseases, 
and ABX196 to treat hepatocellular carcinoma. More information on the company is 
available at www.abivax.com [2]. Follow us on Twitter @ABIVAX_. 
 
*Contacts* 
 
*Abivax *               *Investors*                    *Press Relations & Investors 
*Communications*        *LifeSci Advisors*             Europe* 
Regina Jehle            Chris Maggos                   *MC Services AG* 
[e-mail] [e-mail]      Anne Hennecke 
[phone]       [phone]                [e-mail] 
                                                       [phone] 
*Public Relations       *Public Relations France*      *Public Relations USA * 
France*                 *DGM Conseil *                 *Rooney Partners LLC* 
*Actifin*               Thomas Roborel de Climens      Marion Janic 
Ghislaine Gasparetto    [e-mail] [e-mail] 
[e-mail]  [phone]              [phone] 
[phone] 
 
*DISCLAIMER* 
This press release contains forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates 
(including patient recruitment) with respect to certain of the Company's programs. 
Although the Company believes that its forward-looking statements, forecasts and 
estimates are based on assumptions and assessments of known and unknown risks, 
uncertainties and other factors that have been deemed reasonable, such 
forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates are subject to a number of 
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from 
those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates. A 
description of these risks, contingencies and uncertainties can be found in the 
documents filed by the Company with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers 
pursuant to its legal obligations including its registration document (Document 
d'Enregistrement Universel). Furthermore, these forward-looking statements, 
forecasts and estimates are only as of the date of this press release. Readers are 
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Abivax 
disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, forecasts or 
estimates to reflect any subsequent changes that the Company becomes aware of, 
except as required by law. 
This press release is for information purposes only, and the information contained 
herein does not constitute either an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer 
to purchase or subscribe securities of the Company in any jurisdiction, in 
particular in France. Similarly, it does not give and should not be treated as 
giving investment advice. It has no connection with the investment objectives, 
financial situation or specific needs of any recipient. It should not be regarded 
by recipients as a substitute for exercise of their own judgement. All opinions 
expressed herein are subject to change without notice. The distribution of this 
document may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose 
possession this document comes are required to inform themselves about and to 
observe any such restrictions. 
 
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 05, 2021 13:00 ET (18:00 GMT)