Cellerys enrolling first patients in MS study

Cellerys is launching the next phase of its RED4MS study for its therapy that aims to correct misguided autoimmune responses in multiple sclerosis, according to a press release. This is intended to verify the safety, tolerability and efficacy of the cell therapy known as CLS12311 in patients with multiple sclerosis. At present, the first patients from four European countries are being screened for inclusion in this study.

For this therapeutic approach, around 450 milliliters of autologous blood is taken from the patient in a process lasting around 20 minutes. Outside the body, this is then coupled with twelve protein pieces known as peptides. These represent the most important target antigens in MS. After this, the blood is reinfused into the body, whereupon the coupled blood cells with the healthy information for the immune system undergo natural cell death in the body and are presented to the immune system in the liver and spleen.

The aim here is to correct errant information in the immune system in order to prevent the body from attacking its own brain and spinal cord tissue. According to the information from Cellerys, this process has no impact on normal protective immune functions.

After being founded in 2015, the spin-off from the University of Zurich carried out a successful Phase 1 study with the support of Wyss Zurich, the joint accelerator operated by the University of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. This demonstrated an exceptional tolerability and safety profile, in addition to indicating the induction of various tolerance mechanisms. Cellerys entered into a partnership with Novartis in 2021 to support the development of this therapeutic approach. Cellerys is headquartered at the Bio-Technopark Schlieren-Zurich. ce/mm