HOBOKEN, NJ, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (“Anavex”)
(OTCBB: AVXL) is pleased to provide a summary of its second poster
presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
(AAIC) held in Paris, entitled “Preclinical development of new
tetrahydrofuran derivatives targeting the sigma-1 chaperone protein as
neuroprotectants in Alzheimer’s disease.”
Neuroprotective, anti-amnesic, anti-depressive and anti-convulsive
effects have previously been described with a new class of a wholly
owned family of compounds, the aminotetrahydrofurans. In this study,
two of the leads from this family, ANAVEX 2-73 and ANAVEX 1-41, were
studied for their anti-amnesic and neuroprotective effects. These
compounds are mixed sigma-1 agonists and also have cholinergic effects.
In some respects, the authors claim, these compounds could be compared
to donepezil, which is the market leader in Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
medication. Donepezil also happens to be a partial sigma-1 agonist as
well as exerting its well-known cholinergic effects. In addition, the
metabolites for both ANAVEX 2-73 and 1-41 were identified and also
studied for any effect.
Utilizing a well-known model that mimics AD by injecting oligomeric
amyloid 25-35 fragments into the brain of rodents, the researchers
found that:
-- ANAVEX 2-73 showed prevention and reversal biochemically,
histologically and behaviorally.
-- ANAVEX 2-73 reverses amyloid 25-35-induced amnesia in mice.
-- ANAVEX 2-73, when administered prior to amyloid 25-35, protects
against amyloid 25-35-induced amnesia in mice.
-- ANAVEX 2-73 protects against amyloid 25-35-induced oxidative
stress, measured by lipid peroxidation in hippocampal cells, a
key area of the brain associated with learning and memory.
-- ANAVEX 2-73 protects against amyloid 15-35-induced hippocampal
cell loss.
-- ANAVEX 1-41 also demonstrates similar effects, but is not as
selective for sigma receptors as ANAVEX 2-73.
-- ANAVEX 2-73 is not only active in and of itself, but is also a
pro-drug. Its only metabolite, ANAVEX 19-144, is also active in
these animal models. The metabolite of ANAVEX 1-41, ANAVEX
2-140, does not display such activity.
-- ANAVEX 19-144, when administered prior to amyloid 25-35,
protects against amyloid 25-35-induced amnesia in mice.
-- ANAVEX 19-144 protects against amyloid 25-35-induced oxidative
stress, measured by lipid peroxidation in hippocampal cells.
“It is hypothesized that cholinomimetic-only compounds would not have as
much benefit as the mixed mechanism of the aminotetrahydrofurans, which
may be potentiating. Interestingly, the pro drug and active drug effect
of ANAVEX 2-73, which has ANAVEX 19-144 ’embedded’ in it, may offer a
longer duration of action,” said Dr. Tangui Maurice, PhD, CNRS Research
Director, Team II Endogenous Neuroprotection in Neurodegenerative
Diseases INSERM, University of Montpellier, one of the poster authors
and a member of the Anavex Scientific Advisory Board. “Histological
evidence is powerful visible evidence of neuroprotection and this study
also reinforces the anti-amnesic effects already described in this
animal model of amyloid toxicity benefit with aminotetrahydrofurans.”
“We are excited to have had this, as well as a poster on ANAVEX 2-73 and
a potential dual role in amyloid and tau, accepted at such a
prestigious event as AAIC,” said Dr. Cameron Durrant, Executive
Chairman of Anavex. “These neuroprotection data may translate into
clinical studies as we continue to explore disease-modifying approaches
with our novel family of compounds and the lead small molecule, ANAVEX
2-73. It may be potentially beneficial to have a further positive
effect on top of ANAVEX 2-73 in the form of its active metabolite
ANAVEX 19-144. We eagerly await results from the ANAVEX 2-73 Phase I
clinical trial, which is scheduled for completion soon.”
The posters are available on the Anavex web site:
http://www.anavex.com/files/AAIC_Poster_Tangui_July_2011.pdf and http://www.anavex.com/files/AAIC_Poster_Tangui_tau_July_2011.pdf.
About the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC)
AAIC (formerly ICAD, the International Conference on Alzheimer’s
Disease) is the largest gathering of researchers, clinicians and other
stakeholders in Alzheimer’s disease. This year, the conference drew a
record-breaking number of dementia scientists to Paris to share the
latest ideas, thoughts and theories in the field. Breaking studies
captured global media attention as the world’s leading experts explored
innovative ways to further Alzheimer’s research. For more information,
please visit www.alz.org/aaic.
About the ANAVEX 2-73 Phase I Clinical Trial
This Phase I clinical trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled study to
initially test ANAVEX 2-73 as a single, ascending oral dose in healthy
male volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55. The trial seeks to
determine the maximum tolerated single dose, safety and
pharmacokinetics. The primary objective of this trial is to evaluate
the safety and tolerability of ANAVEX 2-73 in humans for the first
time. The secondary objective is to determine the pharmacokinetic
profile of single oral ascending doses of ANAVEX 2-73.
The Phase I clinical trial is being conducted in Germany in
collaboration with ABX-CRO, a clinical research organization that has
conducted several Alzheimer’s disease studies, and the Technical
University of Dresden.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
While Alzheimer’s disease is most common in people over the age of 65,
it can strike adults of any age irrespective of their gender,
background or socioeconomic status. According to the Alzheimer’s
Association, an estimated 5.4 million Americans are currently living
with Alzheimer’s disease. The number of Americans aged 65 and over with
Alzheimer’s is estimated to reach 7.7 million in 2030. This represents
a 50 percent increase from the 5.2 million Americans aged 65 and older
who are currently affected. The Alzheimer’s Association further
projects that the number of Americans aged 65 and older who are
affected by Alzheimer’s disease may double or triple to between 11 and
16 million by 2050 unless there are developments to prevent or more
effectively treat the disease.
About ANAVEX 2-73
ANAVEX 2-73 is the first of a new class of oral drugs being studied to
potentially treat Alzheimer’s through disease modification versus only
treating its symptoms.
About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and
development of novel drug candidates for the treatment of neurological
diseases and cancer. The Anavex proprietary SIGMACEPTOR(TM) Discovery
Platform involves the rational design of drug compounds targeted to
specific receptors involved in the modulation of multiple cellular
biochemical signaling pathways.
The SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-N program involves the development of novel drug
candidates that target neurological and neurodegenerative diseases
(Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, depression, pain). The company’s lead
drug candidates exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors, which have
been extensively documented as potentially valuable drug targets and
have demonstrated anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties. A
portfolio of back-up compounds to ANAVEX 2-73 are also in development.
Anavex is a publicly traded company under the symbol AVXL.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in
nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only
predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a
number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ
materially from those projected in any of such statements due to
various factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug
discovery and development, which include, without limitation, the
potential failure of development candidates to advance through
preclinical studies or demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical
testing and the ability to pass clinical trials so as to move on to the
next phase, our ability to retain key employees and our ability to
finance development or satisfy the rigorous regulatory requirements for
new drugs. Competitors may develop better or cheaper alternatives to
our products. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety
by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes
no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events
or circumstances after the date hereof.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Research & Business Development
Email: [email protected]
Shareholder & Media Relations
Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895
Outside North America: +1 (416) 489-0092
Email: [email protected]
www.anavex.com
SOURCE Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
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