Tonix Pharmaceuticals Announces Presentation of Non-Clinical Studies Supporting the Mechanism of TNX-1900 (Intranasal Potentiated Oxytocin) at the 2023 International Headache Congress

Oxytocin receptors and CGRP are co-expressed on human trigeminal ganglia neurons and their expression is increased in inflammation

Human tissue data support the proposed mechanism of action of TNX-1900 in treating headache: oxytocin treatment blocks the release of CGRP

CHATHAM, N.J., Sept. 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, today announced that David C. Yeomans, Ph.D. presented data relevant to the proposed mechanism of TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin) in treating chronic migraine in a poster and an oral presentation at the 2023 International Headache Congress (IHC), being held September 14-17, 2023, in Seoul, South Korea. The poster and oral presentation titled, "Human trigeminal ganglia possess oxytocin receptors on CGRP positive neurons: expression increased by inflammation," include research sponsored by and licensed to Tonix Pharmaceuticals. Professor Yeomans was a founder of Trigemina, which Tonix acquired, and he remains a consultant to Tonix. A copy of the poster is available under the Scientific Presentations tab of the Tonix Pharmaceuticals corporate website at www.tonixpharma.com.

The presentations show that oxytocin receptors are co-expressed with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on human trigeminal ganglia neurons, which is similar to Professor Yeomans’ previous findings in animal trigeminal ganglia. The inflammatory cytokine IL-6 upregulated expression of oxytocin receptors on human trigeminal neurons, consistent with the previously observed impact of inflammation on the potency of oxytocin. In animals, oxytocin has been shown to functionally inhibit the excitability of trigeminal neurons, which is consistent with oxytocin inhibiting the release of CGRP at trigeminal nerve terminals.¹

“In animal studies, oxytocin has been shown to inhibit trigeminal neurons which we believe relates to its mechanism in preventing migraines,”¹ said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “The data presented at 2023 IHC by Professor Yeomans shows that oxytocin receptors are present on human trigeminal ganglia neurons, and that these same neurons express CGRP, a key peptide in the pathogenesis of migraine. These data support the proposed mechanism of TNX-1900, which we believe inhibits the release of CGRP from trigeminal neurons that otherwise would trigger a cascade leading to migraine.”

“Similar to animals, human trigeminal ganglia neurons express oxytocin receptors and also co-express CGRP,” said Professor Yeomans. “In addition, the inflammatory mediator IL-6 induces robust upregulation of oxytocin receptors on human trigeminal ganglia neurons. In the presence of inflammation, which is persistently present in chronic migraine, there is a robust increase in the expression of both oxytocin receptors and CGRP in human trigeminal neurons.”

In February 2023, Tonix initiated enrollment in the Phase 2 ‘PREVENTION’ study of TNX-1900 for the prevention of migraine headache in chronic migraineurs. Topline results from the study are expected in the fourth quarter of 2023. In addition, TNX-1900 is also being evaluated in investigator-initiated Phase 2 trials in adolescent obesity (initiated July 2023), binge eating disorder and social anxiety disorder.

1. Tzabazis A, et al. Cephalalgia. 2016. 36(10):943-50.
   
   

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.^*

Tonix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on commercializing, developing, discovering and licensing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg under a transition services agreement with Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC from whom the products were acquired on June 30, 2023. Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are each indicated for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults. Tonix’s development portfolio is composed of central nervous system (CNS), rare disease, immunology and infectious disease product candidates. Tonix’s CNS development portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric and addiction conditions. Tonix’s lead development CNS candidate, TNX-102 SL (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablet), is in mid-Phase 3 development for the management of fibromyalgia, having completed enrollment of a potentially confirmatory Phase 3 study in the third quarter of 2023, with topline data expected in the fourth quarter of 2023. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat fibromyalgia-type Long COVID, a chronic post-acute COVID-19 condition. Topline results from a proof-of-concept Phase 2 study were reported in the third quarter of 2023. TNX-601 ER (tianeptine hemioxalate extended-release tablets) is a once-daily oral formulation being developed as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), that completed enrollment in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in the third quarter of 2023, with topline results expected in the fourth quarter of 2023. TNX-4300 (estianeptine) is a single isomer version of TNX-601, a small molecule oral therapeutic in preclinical development to treat MDD, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Relative to tianeptine, estianeptine lacks activity on the µ-opioid receptor while maintaining activity in the rat Novel Object Recognition test in vivo and the ability to activate PPAR-β/δ and neuroplasticity in tissue culture. TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin), is in development for preventing headaches in chronic migraine, and has completed enrollment in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study with topline data expected in the fourth quarter of 2023. TNX-1900 is also being studied in binge eating disorder, pediatric obesity and social anxiety disorder by academic collaborators under investigator-initiated INDs. TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase) is a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication and has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA. A Phase 2 study of TNX-1300 is expected to be initiated in the fourth quarter of 2023. Tonix’s rare disease development portfolio includes TNX-2900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin) for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome. TNX-2900 has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio includes biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or CD154) being developed for the prevention of allograft rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-1500 was initiated in the third quarter of 2023. Tonix’s infectious disease pipeline includes TNX-801, a vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and mpox. TNX-801 also serves as the live virus vaccine platform or recombinant pox vaccine platform for other infectious diseases. The infectious disease development portfolio also includes TNX-3900 and TNX-4000, which are classes of broad-spectrum small molecule oral antivirals.

*Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.

Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. Intravail is a registered trademark of Aegis Therapeutics, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Neurelis, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.

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Released September 18, 2023