TILS.L Share News (TILS)

(ShareCast News) - Tiziana Life Sciences, the clinical stage biotechnology company, announced that new data has demonstrated the potential of its novel oral therapy with foralumab for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), diabetes and other life threatening inflammatory diseases.Oral efficacy in humanised mouse models with foralumab (NI-0401) is a "major milestone" for the company in the treatment of NASH and autoimmune disease.The unique oral technology stimulates the natural gut immune system and potentially provides a therapeutic effect in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with virtually no toxicity."Until recently it has been generally accepted that despite the convenience and appeal of oral therapies, immunotherapies could not be administered orally because they would be degraded and inactivated by the harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. New data demonstrating oral efficacy in animals with foralumab is a major milestone and potential game-changer for the treatment of NASH and autoimmune diseases," said Chairman Gabriele Cerrone.Foralumab is a long half-life therapeutic mAb candidate with a high affinity and potency for CD3 epsilon.The animal studies were conducted by Prof. Kevan Herold at Yale University and Prof. Howard Weiner at Harvard University."This study demonstrates that oral administration works consistently in our preclinical models with human immune cells. This suggests that oral CD3-specific mAb has the potential for treating NASH, diabetes, and other autoimmune diseases in humans - an entirely novel approach for the treatment of currently unmet needs," said Professor Kevan Herold.The share price rose 23.25% to 216p at the close.