NEWARK, N.J., Jun. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --Neurotrope Bioscience, Inc. (Neurotrope or the Company), the operating subsidiary of Neurotrope, Inc. (OTCQB: NTRP) today announced the Company will present the findings of in vitro studies of bryostatin’s effects on Niemann Pick Type C1 cells (NPC1 cells) at the annual “Michael, Marcia & Christa Parseghian Scientific Conference” for Niemann-Pick Type C research to be held on June 11 -13, 2015 at the University of Notre Dame. The Company’s presentation will take place on Friday, June 12, at 2:30 pm Eastern time.
The presentation reports the results of in vitro studies of three PKC activators, bryostatin, DCPLA and diazoxide, on their ability to correct the cholesterol transport defect in NPC1 cells. The studies, conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City (Mt. Sinai) by Dr. Yiannis Ioannou, in conjunction with Neurotrope, concluded that all three PKC activators were able to induce clearance of cholesterol from NPC1 cells to varying degrees and at different drug concentrations. The study demonstrated that bryostatin was the most potent compound showing statistically significant activity at the nanomolar concentration. A second patient cell line with a completely distinct NPC1 genotype was also tested with similar results. In vivo studies are currently underway at Mt. Sinai to evaluate the effect of bryostatin in an animal model of Niemann-Pick Type C.
“We are pleased with these results which confirm findings from previous studies showing that PKC activation by certain pharmacological agents can correct the cholesterol transport defect in NPC1 cells. More importantly, bryostatin 1 appears to be the most effective PKC activator of the three tested in correcting the cholesterol transport defect in NPC1 cells,” stated Dr. Yiannis Ioannou, Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at Mt. Sinai.
Niemann-Pick Type C Disease (“NP-C”) mainly affects children who become afflicted with Alzheimer-like symptoms. NPC1 cells have a defective NPC1 protein and are characterized by the extreme accumulation of cholesterol. Rates of disease progression and life expectancy vary widely; however, the majority of patients die between 10 and 25 years of age. The early onset of neurological symptoms, i.e. in early childhood, leads to faster deterioration and earlier death than for those affected in adolescence or adulthood. Progressive neurological manifestations in NP-C have a profound effect on quality of life of both patients and their caregivers.
“We are pleased to present these findings at the annual Parseghian Scientific Conference at Notre Dame University” stated Dr. Warren Wasiewski, Neurotrope’s Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “NP-C is a debilitating disease affecting children and their families across the globe with no effective treatments currently available. We are greatly encouraged by these study results and look forward to the results of in vivo studies now underway. We are proud to be presenting at this prestigious conference. As a company, we are dedicated to advancing bryostatin as the first therapeutic compound to significantly improve the lives of the patients and families suffering from NP-C,” stated Charles S. Ramat, Neurotrope’s President and CEO.
About the “Michael, Marcia & Christa Parseghian Scientific Conference”
The annual “Michael, Marcia & Christa Parseghian Scientific Conference” for Niemann-Pick Type C research gathers researchers for three days to discuss the advances in NP-C research. This yearly meeting helps to form collaborations and determine the future direction of this research. The event is sponsored by the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to funding medical research projects to find a treatment for Niemann-Pick Type C (NP-C) disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. The Foundation was founded in 1994 by Parseghian family members shortly after they learned that three of the four children of Mike and Cindy Parseghian were diagnosed with NP-C disease. The Foundation is named after Ara Parseghian, the legendary Notre Dame football coach and the children’s grandfather.
About Neurotrope
Neurotrope Bioscience Inc., the operating subsidiary of Neurotrope, Inc., was formed in October 2012 principally to license, develop and commercialize various novel therapeutic and diagnostic technologies from the Blanchette Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (BRNI) which are focused on the development of conventional small molecules that are extraordinarily potent in the activation of the enzyme PKCe. PKCe has been shown to play a central role in the regrowth or repair of nervous tissues, cells or cell products. Neurotrope’s pipeline, under its license from BRNI, includes the drug candidate, bryostatin, for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and a minimally invasive, diagnostic biomarker analysis system which would assess the presence of Alzheimer’s in patients. In addition, Neurotrope has a world-wide, exclusive license agreement with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai located in New York City to utilize its proprietary information and data package for the use of bryostatin-1 in the treatment of Niemann-Pick Type C Disease, a rare disease, mostly of children who are afflicted with Alzheimer-like symptoms. Also, the Company, under its BRNI license, has the rights to develop the licensed technology for other cognitive dysfunctions, including orphan diseases, such as Fragile X Syndrome.
About The Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute
Located in Morgantown, WV, BRNI, at West Virginia University, is a unique, independent, non-profit institute dedicated to the study of memory and finding solutions to memory disorders. BRNI was founded in 1999 in memory of Blanchette Ferry Hooker Rockefeller, an Alzheimer’s patient and mother of U. S. Senator John D. Rockefeller IV. BRNI is operated in alliance with West Virginia University as well as in collaboration with other academic institutions.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the plans to present findings and the Company’s intention to advance the NP-C program. Such forward- looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control over. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the Company’s inability to obtain adequate financing, the significant length of time associated with drug development and related insufficient cash flows and resulting illiquidity, the Company’s patent portfolio, the Company’s inability to expand the Company’s business, significant government regulation of pharmaceuticals and the healthcare industry, lack of product diversification, availability of the Company’s raw materials, existing or increased competition, stock volatility and illiquidity, and the Company’s failure to implement the Company’s business plans or strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.
Please visit www.neurotropebioscience.com for further information.
For additional information, please contact:
Robert Weinstein
Chief Financial Officer
+1-973-242-0005
rweinstein@neurotropebioscience.com
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SOURCE Neurotrope, Inc.
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