Journal Of Psychopharmacology Publishes Anti-Amnesic And Neuroprotective Data Against Amyloid Toxicity For First Of A New Class In Alzheimer's Disease

Anavex Life Sciences Corp., ("ANAVEX" or the "Company") (OTCBB: AVXL) announced that the Journal of Psychopharmacology has published an original paper showing that ANAVEX 2-73 and its only and active metabolite ANAVEX 19-144 alleviate neurotoxicity and cognition deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease.


The paper, titled "Anti-amnesic and neuroprotective potentials of the mixed muscarinic receptor/sigma 1 ligand ANAVEX 2-73, a novel aminotetrahydrofuran derivative", is available online at sagepub and cites biochemical, morphological and behavioral evidence from experiments conducted jointly between INSERM at University of Montpellier 2 and Anavex Life Sciences Corp.


Validated and well-recognized, standard non-transgenic animal models were used to show statistically significant neuroprotective effects via both muscarinic cholinergic and sigma-1 receptor agonism effects.


The authors compare the pharmacological profile of ANAVEX 2-73 to that of donepezil (marketed as ARICEPT(R)), the leading-selling drug approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, noting the greater potential benefits of ANAVEX 2-73. Amyloid-beta peptide has been shown to result in mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress, intracellular calcium dysregulation leading to oxidative stress and apoptosis (cell death). The authors point to the role of ANAVEX 2-73 in prevention of oxidative stress and apoptosis and other data suggesting modulation of Bcl-2 and reactive oxygen species.


Dr. Tangui Maurice, one of the authors of the paper, stated, "ANAVEX 2-73 reversed the neurotoxicity of an oligomeric preparation of amyloid-beta peptide used to mimic Alzheimer's in mice when given after the agent had been administered. Furthermore, when given simultaneously with the agent, ANAVEX 2-73 blocked the appearance of learning impairments. These exciting findings and the added benefit of the active metabolite conveying anti-amnesic and neuroprotective activity point to potential benefit in Alzheimer's disease for this novel agent."


"These findings and publication come at an excellent time as we prepare our Phase I/IIa clinical study for ANAVEX 2-73", said Dr. Cameron Durrant, Executive Chairman of Anavex. "We expect to be able to dose healthy human volunteers this year with ANAVEX 2-73 and to have results, which may include some patient efficacy data, before the end of 2011."


ANAVEX 2-73 is the first of a new class of wholly owned compounds, which act through sigma-1 receptor agonism as well as muscarinic cholinergic effects. ANAVEX 2-73 also modulates endoplasmic reticulum stress and triggers a series of intracellular effects thought to modify ion channel signalling at the mitochondrial level. The company has completed preclinical studies, which have included oral and IV dosing, including 28-day toxicity studies in rats, mice and dogs.


Source: Anavex