HERV-K Immunization Strategy to Help ALS Hold the Line Against Progression
Official title: A HERV-K (HML-2) Immunization Strategy for the Treatment and Prevention of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Funded at Twilight Bioscience, INC. · NIH-11373396 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new immunotherapy approach aims to help people with ALS by targeting a virus-related protein believed to contribute to nerve cell damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Twilight Bioscience, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Topsfield, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $497,416 |
| NIH project number | 1U44NS149352-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373396 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with ALS who express detectable HERV-K Env and are eligible for early-stage immunotherapy trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without detectable HERV-K Env or with contraindications to immunotherapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops an antibody-based immunotherapy that targets the HERV-K Env protein thought to be involved in ALS progression. It builds on preclinical screens that show high-affinity antibodies can neutralize a neurotoxic factor associated with ALS. The team plans to test their lead compound for safety and effectiveness in models that mirror the human disease, with an eye toward preventing motor neuron loss. If successful, this work could pave the way for a targeted treatment addressing a specific ALS mechanism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could slow or prevent motor neuron damage in ALS and improve quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous immunotherapies for ALS have faced challenges, but targeting a virus-derived protein represents a promising, underexplored approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Twilight Bioscience, INC.
Topsfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia Montojo, Marta — Twilight Bioscience, INC.
- Study coordinator: Garcia Montojo, Marta
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.