Data presented at Neuroscience 2012
VANCOUVER, Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Anavex Life Sciences Corp. ("Anavex")
(OTCQB: AVXL) today unveiled more promising new data regarding ANAVEX
2-73, the company's drug candidate for the treatment and modification
of Alzheimer's disease currently in human clinical trials. The
confidential status of the new ANAVEX 2-73 data has been lifted now
that a formal presentation has been made at Neuroscience 2012 in New
Orleans.
ANAVEX 2-73 demonstrated its ability to restore mitochondrial
functionality, and prevent oxidative stress and apoptosis (cell death)
in a scientific study at the University of Montpellier and INSERM, in
France. Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by amyloid peptide toxicity
has been consistently reported as an early event in Alzheimer's
physiopathology and a telltale sign of the disease, appearing before
amyloid-beta plaque deposits and memory deficits in patients.
"This new study emphasizes the effective mitochondrial neuroprotection
provided by ANAVEX 2-73," said Tangui Maurice, PhD, CNRS Research
Director, Head of Team 2 'Endogenous Neuroprotection in
Neurodegenerative Diseases', at the University of Montpellier and
INSERM. "The Anavex compound effectively restored mitochondrial
respiration and integrity. This restorative effect decreases oxidative
stress and disrupts Alzheimer's disease well before plaques can start
to accumulate and memory loss begins."
A selective sigma-1 agonist reference drug showed similar results in the
study, confirming the sigma-1 chaperone protein activation by ANAVEX
2-73.
This new data was presented at Neuroscience 2012, the premier venue for
neuroscientists from around the world to debut cutting-edge research on
the brain and nervous system, held this week in New Orleans. The
presentation is titled, "Mitochondrial protection is induced by the
novel tetrahydrofuran derivative ANAVEX 2-73 after ICV injection of
oligomeric Aß25-35 peptide in mice, a nontransgenic Alzheimer's disease
model."
The study was jointly conducted by Valentine Lahmy, PharmD, Romain Long,
PhD, Didier Morin, PhD, team leader at INSERM, Institut Henri Modor,
Créteil, Vanessa Villard, PhD, CEO of Amylgen, Alexandre Vamvakides,
PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Scientific Founder of Anavex, and
Tangui Maurice, PhD. Full details of the study are described on
Anavex's website at http://www.anavex.com/files/2012-10-17_ANAVEX_2-73_poster_Neuroscience_2012.pdf.
About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is a pharmaceutical company engaged in the development of novel drug
candidates. Lead compound ANAVEX 2-73, developed to treat Alzheimer's
through disease modification, is in human clinical trials. A Phase 1
single ascending dose study of ANAVEX 2-73 was successfully completed
in Germany in 2011. Studies indicate that ANAVEX 2-73 demonstrates
anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties, and that it is well
tolerated in doses up to 55mg. The company is preparing to embark on a
multiple ascending dose clinical trial of ANAVEX 2-73 in 2012. Anavex
is a publicly traded corporation quoted as 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 finance development or satisfy the rigorous
regulatory requirements for new drugs, our ability to attract and
retain quality personnel, and that despite positive results, our
competitors may offer better or cheaper alternatives. 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: info@anavex.com
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SOURCE Anavex Life Sciences Corp.