Allon Therapeutics, Inc.'s CEO Presenting at Rodman & Renshaw Global Conference

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 17, 2010) - Allon Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: NPC) President and CEO Gordon McCauley will present an update of the Company’s business progress tomorrow, May 18 at 1:50 a.m. PDT (9:50 a.m. BST) at the Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Investment Conference in London.

McCauley’s presentation will include an update of Allon’s clinical program 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 mis-diagnosed 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 in its PSP program during 2010 includes:

 -- Orphan Drug designation for davunetide as a treatment for PSP in the United States and the European Union; -- Fast Track status in the United States for davunetide for the treatment of PSP; and -- 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. 

Rodman & Renshaw LLC is a full-service investment bank providing corporate finance, strategic advisory and related services to public and private companies across multiple sectors and regions. Rodman also provides research and sales and trading services to institutional investors.

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 Company™) 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.