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Humanetics Signs Exclusive License With Mount Sinai School of Medicine to Develop Oral Agent to Combat Alzheimer's Disease

Posted on: Thursday, 1 December 2005, 09:00 CST

Humanetics Corporation today announced that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan, NY to further develop and commercialize an oral agent, referenced as NIC5-15, to combat Alzheimer's disease. This compound has been shown in pre-clinical studies and animal models to be effective in preventing the formation of beta amyloid plaques, which are believed to be a cause of Alzheimer's disease. Humanetics also announced that it has entered into a clinical research agreement with investigators at Mount Sinai to test the effect of the compound in humans. The Principal Investigator on the study is Giulio Maria Pasinetti, M.D., Ph.D., in the Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neurosciences at Mount Sinai.

The license agreement will provide Humanetics exclusive rights under pending patents to commercialize products containing NIC5-15. Preliminary tests conducted by Dr. Pasinetti in animal models predisposed to develop Alzheimer's disease type neuropathology showed that moderate doses of NIC5-15 promote improved cognitive function in mice with AD type neuropathology and memory impairment. Specifically, it was found that the compound prevents certain peptides from joining together to form beta amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The clinical research agreement will allow investigators at Mount Sinai to conduct the study in subjects with Alzheimer's disease dementia to assess if NIC5-15 is tolerated in AD patients and to compare doses with respect to tolerability and clinical efficacy. The study will recruit a disease population - those who meet criteria for probable AD, of mild-to-moderate severity, who are at risk for further cognitive decline - from The Mount Sinai Memory Disorders Clinic and other associated and selected clinics.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys cognitive function. Aging is the number one risk factor and there is no known cure. The disease afflicts 1 in 10 individuals over age 65, and nearly 50% of those over age 85. 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, a number that has doubled since 1980 and is expected to reach 11.3 to 16 million by 2050.

"Humanetics' mission is to discover and develop oral agents that will prevent the onset, slow the progression, or diminish manifestations of diseases like Alzheimer's," explained Ronald Zenk, President and CEO of Humanetics. "Our goal with NIC5-15 is to provide a product that is safe enough for daily use by anyone at risk of developing the disease."

Dr. Pasinetti, the Principal Investigator on the clinical trial at Mount Sinai, said, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Humanetics to develop a therapeutic strategy to retard the clinical progression of Alzheimer's disease. Our research suggests we may have a safe and efficacious agent to help deal with this disease."

About Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Located in Manhattan, Mount Sinai School of Medicine is internationally recognized for ground-breaking clinical and basic-science research, and innovative approaches to medical education. Through the Mount Sinai Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Mount Sinai trains biomedical researchers with an emphasis on the rapid translation of discoveries of basic research into new techniques for fighting disease. One indication of Mount Sinai's leadership in scientific investigation is its receipt during fiscal year 2004 of $153.2 million. Mount Sinai now ranks 25th among the nation's medical schools in receipt of research support from NIH. Mount Sinai School of Medicine also is known for unique educational programs such as the Humanities in Medicine program, which creates opportunities for liberal arts students to pursue medical school, and instructional innovations like The Morchand Center, the nation's largest program teaching students and physicians with "standardized patients" to become not only highly skilled, but compassionate caregivers. Long dedicated to improving its community, the School extends its boundaries to work with East Harlem and surrounding communities to provide access to health care and educational programs to at risk populations.

About Humanetics Corporation

Humanetics is a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Company is focused on the rapid discovery, development and commercialization of orally-administered bioactive compounds for prevention and treatment of diseases in categories with urgent and unmet needs. The Company has several proprietary compounds in preclinical and/or clinical stages of development in the areas of Alzheimer's disease, bioterrorism and obesity. For further information, visit: http://www.humaneticscorporation.com.

This Press Release contains discussion of certain expectations regarding Humanetics' future performance. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current views and assumptions. Actual results could differ materially from these current expectations and projections, and from historical performance.

Source: Business Wire

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