NIH and Matinas BioPharma Announce Research Collaboration

- Development program to focus on combination of antisense oligonucleotides with Matinas’ Proprietary LNC Delivery Technology -

BEDMINSTER, N.J. and WASHINGTON, July 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE AMER:MTNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines using its proprietary lipid nano-crystal (LNC) platform delivery technology, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), today announced a research collaboration focused on the development of a novel therapy for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) combining targeted antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and Matinas’ LNC delivery technology.

“We are very pleased to collaborate with the NIH on this important project,” commented Dr. Raphael J. Mannino, Chief Scientific Officer of Matinas BioPharma.  “The demonstrated efficacy of our LNC platform technology, in animal models, to effectively deliver siRNA to inhibit viral replication, as well as the ability of LNC to cross the blood-brain barrier, provides a strong foundation upon which to move forward with the NINDS on this program.  We hope this critical project further demonstrates that our technology can be a ground-breaking solution to the variety of well-known delivery challenges in the gene therapy space.”

Following more than 30 years of research, HIV remains a chronic infection with long-term damaging consequences including immunological dysfunction and neurocognitive impairment.  Despite the presence of antiretroviral therapy (ART), ongoing viral replication, persistent inflammation and antiretroviral toxicity remain significant problems. 

The goal of this collaboration is to leverage the unique attributes of Matinas’ LNC technology to safely, effectively and efficiently deliver ASO intracellularly to inhibit Trans-Activator of Transcription (Tat)/viral mRNA translation. Tat is a contributing factor in three major aspects of HIV infection post treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART): viral replication/latency, chronic inflammation and neurological complications. Tat is a key regulatory protein not specifically targeted by currently available ART.   In vitro and in vivo studies will be conducted to determine optimal structures for incorporating ASOs into the LNC technology platform, delivery into target cells and the effective inhibition of Tat and/or viral replication while monitoring Tat-induced cytotoxicity.

“We need to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of this unique delivery technology in combination with our targeted ASOs, and our belief is that these studies will provide critical information for translation of this therapeutic strategy into human clinical trials,” stated Avindra Nath, M.D., Chief, Section of Infections of the Nervous System, and Clinical Director of NINDS.

This series of studies will be conducted at the NIH in Bethesda, MD, under the direction of Principal Investigator Dr. Nath and Co-Investigator, Lisa Henderson, Ph.D. 

About Matinas BioPharma Matinas BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines using its lipid-crystal nano-particle cochleate (LNC) platform delivery technology. The Company's proprietary, disruptive technology utilizes lipid-crystal nano-particle cochleates to nano-encapsulate small molecules, oligonucleotides, vaccines and other medicines potentially making them safer, more tolerable, less toxic and orally bioavailable. The Company's lead anti-fungal product candidate, MAT2203, positions Matinas BioPharma to become a leader in the safe and effective delivery of anti-infective therapies utilizing its proprietary LNC formulation technology.

For more information, please visit www.matinasbiopharma.com and connect with the Company on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , and Google+ .

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Source: Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc.