Morphic Therapeutic (Nasdaq: MORF), a biotechnology company
developing a new generation of oral integrin therapies for the
treatment of serious chronic diseases, announced the presentation
of new data, using Spinning Disk Intravital Microscopy (IVM), that
provides real-time, in vivo visualization of the impact of α4β7
inhibition on lymphocyte trafficking in mouse gut-associated
lymphoid tissues (GALT). These data were presented in a poster
session at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024 meeting.
This real-time footage and the associated data
for B cell movement clearly demonstrate that MT-108, a potent and
selective small molecule α4β7 inhibitor, leads to increased
velocity and flux of rolling lymphocytes. This activity
subsequently prevents lymphocyte migration into gut tissue,
including Peyer’s patches, which is a key component of inflammatory
bowel disease. Notably, MT-108 impacted B cell trafficking with
similar speed of onset and efficacy as the anti-α4β7 blocking
antibody DATK32, a murine analog of the monoclonal antibody
vedolizumab. The onset and extent of α4β7 inhibition can be
visualized by the increased velocity of B cells when comparing the
lymphocyte movement prior to compound administration. In the
absence of inhibitor, cells are slowed by their binding of α4β7
with the ligand MAdCAM-1. Following administration of MT-108, the
immune cells transit more quickly through the vessel as a result of
inhibition of α4β7-mediated adhesion and fewer cells are seen
affixed to vessel walls.
Videos showing the changes in leukocyte movement
in vivo can be viewed for the small molecule α4β7 inhibitor and the
test vehicle. The poster presented at DDW can be found on the
Morphic website.
“These new data demonstrate not only that a
small molecule α4β7 inhibitor drives changes comparable to a
monoclonal antibody but also provide stunning real time in vivo
visualization of this activity. Unlike other in vivo models, IVM
enables the viewer to experience visually the changes Morphic’s
small molecule α4β7 inhibitor rapidly imparts on lymphocyte
trafficking to gut tissues and allows the scientist to quantify
those effects,” commented Bruce Rogers, PhD, President of Morphic
Therapeutic. “Importantly, the onset of activity, and efficacy of
our small molecule α4β7 inhibitor are virtually identical to the
effects on cells by DATK32, a murine analog of ENTYVIO™.”
DDW Session: 9370
Poster
Tu1738: Real-Time Inhibition Of
Integrin α4β7 By A Small Molecule Inhibitor Impairs B Lymphocyte
Adhesion In Murine Peyer’s Patches
Authors: Allison Sang1, Björn Petri2, Naresh S.
Redhu1, Dooyoung Lee1, Danielle Granata1, Michael Rowe1, Bryce
Harrison1, Matthew Bursavich1, Bryan Goodwin1, Bruce N. Rogers1,
Kamala D Patel3, and Jamie Wong1
1Morphic Therapeutic, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham,
Massachusetts, USA, 02451, 2Department of Microbiology, Immunology
and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases,
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary,
Alberta, Canada, 3Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder
Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine,
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
ENTYVIO is a registered trademark of Millenium
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
About Morphic
Therapeutic Morphic Therapeutic is a
biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of oral integrin
therapies for the treatment of serious chronic diseases, including
autoimmune, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, fibrosis, and
cancer. Morphic is also advancing its pipeline and discovery
activities in collaboration with Schrödinger using its proprietary
MInT technology platform which leverages the Company’s unique
understanding of integrin structure and biology. For more
information, visit www.morphictx.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements This press release
contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and of the “safe harbor” provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but
not limited to: the MInT platform’s ability to discover drug
candidates and our plans to develop and commercialize oral
small-molecule integrin therapeutics, including MT-108 which is not
expected to be developed or commercialized. Statements including
words such as “believe,” “plan,” “continue,” “expect,” “will be,”
“develop,” “signal,” “potential,” “anticipate” or “ongoing” and
statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
as well as assumptions, which, if they do not fully materialize or
prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause our actual activities or results to differ
significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking
statement, including risks and uncertainties in this press release
and other risks set forth in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including, among others, our or a partner’s
ability to complete a current or future clinical trial of any of
our current or future product candidates, our ability to develop or
obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize any product
candidate, our ability to protect our intellectual property, and
the sufficiency of our cash, cash equivalents and investments to
fund our operations. These forward-looking statements speak only as
of the date hereof and we specifically disclaim any obligation to
update these forward-looking statements or reasons why actual
results might differ, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
ContactsMorphic TherapeuticChris
Erdmanchris.erdman@morphictx.com617.686.1718
A video accompanying this release is available
at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c92d5173-1e6d-4814-9e8f-17e50fa19582
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