TEL AVIV, Israel, May 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VBL Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VBLT) is pleased to announce the publication of a new manuscript demonstrating the potential of MOSPD2 antibodies for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). VBL's data offer a differentiated approach to potential treatment of central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases using MOSPD2 antibodies that inhibit monocyte migration. Currently, there are no approved therapies for MS that target monocyte migration.

VBL's data show that knockout of the MOSPD2 gene in mice essentially protected the animals from developing CNS disease in the well-established EAE model for MS. Proprietary anti-MOSPD2 antibodies that block monocyte migration without affecting T-cells, were able to recapitulate this effect and profoundly reduced inflammation and tissue damage.

"The data emphasize how important monocytes are in regulating the chronicity of inflammation in this MS model," said Itzhak Mendel, Ph.D., Immunology Director of VBL Therapeutics and lead author of the paper. "Our antibodies reduced disease severity not only as a preventive treatment, but also when administered as treatment for established disease. This opens us opportunities for potential treatment of relapsing as well as progressive MS disease, in which there is a major unmet need."

VBL is advancing lead candidate antibody VB-601 towards a first-in-man study, which is expected in 2021. For VBL's open-access manuscript, see: LINK.

About VBL's VB-600 Platform

VBL is conducting two parallel drug development programs that are exploring the potential of MOSPD2, a protein that VBL has identified as a key regulator of cell motility, as a therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and cancer. Our VB-600 platform comprises classical anti-MOSPD2 monoclonal antibodies for inflammatory indications, as well as bi-specific antibody candidates for oncology.

About VBL
Vascular Biogenics Ltd., operating as VBL Therapeutics, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class treatments for cancer. VBL’s lead oncology product candidate, ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111), is a first-in-class, targeted anti-cancer gene-therapy agent that is being developed to treat a wide range of solid tumors. It is conveniently administered as an IV infusion once every two months. It has been observed to be well-tolerated in >300 cancer patients and demonstrated activity signals in a VBL-sponsored “all comers” phase 1 trial as well as in three VBL-sponsored tumor-specific phase 2 studies. Ofranergene obadenovec is currently being studied in a VBL-sponsored phase 3 potential registration trial for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “look forward to,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our programs, including VB-600, including their clinical development, therapeutic potential and clinical results. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related regulatory reviews and approvals, the risk that historical clinical trial results may not be predictive of future trial results, that our financial resources do not last for as long as anticipated, and that we may not realize the expected benefits of our intellectual property protection. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in our regulatory filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, and subsequent filings with the SEC. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. VBL Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Michael Rice
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
(646) 597-6979

Source: VBL Therapeutics