VANCOUVER, B.C. — Allon Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: NPC) announced today it has been chosen as the “Most Innovative Development Company” in the New Economy 2010 Pharmaceutical & Healthcare awards sponsored by New Economy Magazine. Allon President and CEO, Gordon McCauley, will accept the award at a ceremony today at the London Stock Exchange.
Editors of London-based New Economy Magazine said Allon was chosen as “the company that has most distinguished itself from its peers with demonstrated technology innovation – in Allon’s case, the neurodegenerative drug davunetide.” Companies were nominated for the award by New Economy’s subscribers and media partners via electronic vote, and then the three companies with the most votes were forwarded to the judging panel for the final decision.
Allon intends to develop its lead neuroprotective drug candidate, davunetide, as the first potential treatment for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a type of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FTD is a group of rapidly progressive and fatal degenerative brain diseases, often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.
Allon expects to begin an advanced efficacy trial in PSP patients during the third quarter of 2010. The Company’s progress thus far in 2010 in its PSP program includes: • Orphan Drug designation for davunetide for a treatment for PSP in the United States and the European Union, the world’s two largest pharmaceutical markets; • Fast Track status in the U.S. for davunetide for the treatment of PSP; • Completion of a Phase 1 clinical trial that began enrolling patients January 28, 2010. The resulting Phase 1 data expanded the demonstrated safety range and pharmacokinetic profile of davunetide at dosage levels higher than previously used in the Company’s clinical trials; and • Initiation of a pilot study at University of California, San Francisco to validate the trial design for the efficacy clinical trial.
About davunetide
Davunetide is derived from a naturally occurring neuroprotective brain protein known as activity dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP). Allon’s laboratory and animal studies have shown that davunetide improves cognition in a number of disease models through a mechanism believed to involve effects on microtubules, structures in the brain critical to communication between cells.
About Allon’s neuroprotective platforms
Allon’s two neuroprotective technology platforms are based on two naturally occurring proteins produced by the brain in response to a range of insults. The platforms are activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) and activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF).
Because the two platforms are based on different proteins, the drugs from each are different molecules with different therapeutic mechanisms and distinct commercial opportunities. Clinical-stage drugs based on davunetide are derived from ADNP, while preclinical stage drug AL-309 is derived from ADNF. Davunetide is focused on Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). AL-309 is being developed for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies and is administered orally or subcutaneously.
About Allon
Allon Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for major neurodegenerative conditions. Allon’s drug davunetide has demonstrated human efficacy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Allon has Phase 2 human efficacy programs pursuing large underserved markets, such as Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, and in orphan markets, such as frontotemporal dementias. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “NPC” (Neuro Protection CompanyTM) and based in Vancouver. For additional information please visit the Company’s website: www.allontherapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statements Statements contained herein, other than those which are strictly statements of historical fact may include forward-looking information. Such statements will typically contain words such as “believes”, “may”, “plans”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “expects”, and similar expressions. While forward-looking statements represent management’s outlook based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable, forward-looking statements by their nature are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by them. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainty involved in scientific research and drug development, Allon’s early stage of development, lack of product revenues, its additional capital requirements, the risks associated with successful completion
of clinical trials and the long lead-times and high costs associated with obtaining regulatory approval to market any product which Allon may eventually develop. Other risk factors include the limited protections afforded by intellectual property rights, rapid technology and product obsolescence in a highly competitive environment and Allon’s dependence on collaborative partners and contract research organizations. These factors can be reviewed in Allon’s public filings at www.sedar.com and should be considered carefully. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Investor Contact Allon Therapeutics Inc. Aaron Keay Director, Investor Relations (604) 742-2540 or Cell: (604) 323-6911 Email: akeay@allontherapeutics.com Website: www.allontherapeutics.com
Media Contact Edie DeVine, Cohn & Wolfe (415) 365-8543 Email: edie.devine@cohnwolfe.com
