LA JOLLA, Calif., March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it will present two scientific presentations at the 8th International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases to be held March 14 to 18, 2007 in Salzburg, Austria. The presentations are entitled:
In Vivo Modulation of the Gamma Secretase Enzyme Complex with Orally Bioavailable Small Molecules First-in-Man Experience with NGX267, a Selective M1 Agonist for Disease Modification and Symptomatic Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
The first presentation, given by Steve Wagner, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of TorreyPines Therapeutics, provides data on a series of gamma secretase modulator compounds discovered by TorreyPines. These compounds have been shown to penetrate the blood brain barrier upon chronic oral dosing in rodents. In the brain, they appear to preferentially lower amyloid Beta 42, or AlphaBeta42, levels by modulation of gamma secretase, an enzyme believed to play a major role in producing AlphaBeta42 fragments that comprise the pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
The second presentation, given by Michael Murphy, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of TorreyPines Therapeutics, compares pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data in humans with data from a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. These data suggest an acceptable therapeutic index for NGX267 as a potential disease modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s disease by affecting mechanisms related to AlphaBeta pathology. NGX267 is currently in Phase I clinical testing and is being developed as a potential therapy for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, as well as Alzheimer’s disease.
Slides of these presentations will be available on March 15, 2007 on TorreyPines’ website: http://www.torreypinestherapeutics.com. Go to the investor center then click on events and presentations.
About TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc.
TorreyPines Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops small molecule drugs to treat diseases and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Led by an accomplished management team, TorreyPines is leveraging novel drug targets and technologies to potentially deliver new CNS therapies for chronic pain, including migraine and neuropathic pain, and cognitive disorders, including cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. TorreyPines’ common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Stock Market under the symbol “TPTX.” For detailed company information, including copies of this and other press releases, please visit TorreyPines’ website at http://www.torreypinestherapeutics.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements or predictions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential for NGX267 to treat Alzheimer’s disease or the symptoms of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Such statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause TorreyPines’ actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In particular there is no guarantee that NGX267 will successfully treat Alzheimer’s disease or the symptoms of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, or that TorreyPines will be able to complete the necessary development work and receive regulatory approval for NGX267. These and other risks which may cause results to differ are described in greater detail in the registration statement on Form S-4, as amended, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the “Risk Factors” section of TorreyPines’ Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and TorreyPines other SEC reports. The forward-looking statements are based on current information that is likely to change and speak only as of the date hereof.
TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc.
CONTACT: Evelyn Graham of TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc., +1-858-623-5665,ext. 118, egraham@torreypinestherapeutics.com; or Patricia Garrison,+1-917-322-2567, pgarrison@RxIR.com, or Rhonda Chiger, +1-917-322-2569,rchiger@RxIR.com, both of Rx Communications for TorreyPines Therapeutics,Inc.
Web site: http://www.torreypinestherapeutics.com//
