Collaborators to examine investigational treatment for reversing disability in MS

Neuroimaging company Imeka announced it has partnered with Atara Biotherapeutics Inc. to use Imeka’s novel biomarker technology in a phase 2 clinical study of individuals with progressive forms of MS.

The companies intend to use Imeka’s non-invasive Advanced Neuro Imaging Endpoints (ANIE) biomarker platform to examine the possible effect of ATA188, an investigational treatment from Atara, on neuroinflammation and remyelination in the brain and spinal cord of those with primary progressive MS and secondary progressive MS. According to a press release, Atara is using its Epstein-Barr virus T-cell platform to develop cancer and autoimmune disease therapies, such as ATA188, which may become the first investigational therapy for reversing disability in progressive MS. Researchers on the phase 2 EMBOLD clinical study in the U.S. and Australia are currently examining ATA188.

According to the release, Imeka’s platform creates biomarkers based on white matter free-water, apparent fiber density and tissue radial diffusivity within fiber bundled-based interest regions, which allows for researchers to pinpoint pathological changes in white matter because of disease and assess the effect of potential therapies.

"We are excited to collaborate with Imeka for our phase 2 EMBOLD clinical study in progressive MS," AJ Joshi, chief medical officer of Atara, said in the release. "Their proprietary technology complements other imaging techniques, including MTR, which we are leveraging to analyze the effects of ATA188 on neuroinflammation and remyelination, key markers for disease progression. This work will contribute to the growing body of clinical knowledge around our investigational therapy."

Jean-René Bélanger, CEO of Imeka, highlighted the importance of the biomarker platform in this research effort.

"Biomarkers have potential to revolutionize the discovery and development of medicines for some of the most difficult-to-treat neurodegenerative diseases,” Bélanger said in the release. “Our proprietary non-invasive biomarker platform is a trusted resource for identifying biomarkers associated with MS and other conditions. By providing highly localized views of the effects of both disease and investigational treatments on white matter, we provide unique insights that can help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies accelerate the development of potential new treatments through multiple phases."