Strong science = Good News !!!Look at this :
"Neurochem scientists release findings on In Vivo inhibition of amyloid formation and deposition in Alzheimer's disease research program
11:30 EST Tuesday, January 29, 2002
-- Researchers present data at 5th International Symposium on Medicinal
Chemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases --
SAINT-LAURENT, QC, Jan. 29 /CNW/ - Neurochem Inc. (TSE: NRM) disclosed findings this week related to a greater understanding of the role of amyloid in Alzheimer's Disease at the 5th International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases in Cancun, Mexico (January 26-30, 2002). Specifically, researchers explained the inhibitory effect of Neurochem's proprietary compound on amyloid plaque and fibril formation in genetically-engineered mice expressing the human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) as well as the impact on brain tissue of the inflammatory response triggered by amyloid.
About the Presentations
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Dr. Francine Gervais, Neurochem's Vice-President, Research and Development made three presentations at this year's symposium covering a variety of neurological topics related to Alzheimer's Disease, including amyloid biology, GAG mimetic compounds and the role of macrophages in brain amyloidosis:
- A Low Molecular Weight GAG Mimetic Compound Reduces Brain Amyloid
Burden in hAPP Transgenic Mice
In an oral presentation examining the effects of a specific GAG mimetic compound on several indicators of brain amyloidosis in mice, researchers clearly demonstrated the ability of Neurochem's drug candidate to prevent and arrest the fibrillogenic process.
- Anti-AB Amyloid GAG Mimetic Compound Affects AB Plasma Levels in
hAPP Transgenic Mice
In a poster presentation, research focused on the characterization of the ability of GAG mimetics to interfere with the interaction between naturally occurring GAGs and amyloid protein (AB). The GAG mimetic compound decreased AB plasma levels in hAPP transgenic mice, reinforcing the therapeutic potential of Neurochem's anti-amyloid approach using GAG mimetics.
- Magnitude of the Microglial Inflammatory Response to AB: Its
Potential Role in the In Vivo Amyloidogenic Process
In a poster presentation examining the role of the inflammatory response to amyloid deposition, evidence suggests that the level of inflammatory response is genetically determined, opening a potential therapeutic avenue for treating Alzheimer's Disease.
The three abstracts can be viewed at (www.neurochem.com/NewsRoom.htm).
"By advancing the understanding of the biological processes related to disease progression, we at Neurochem are both expanding our focus on diseases of the central nervous system as well as establishing our leadership position in the field of Alzheimer's Disease research," said Dr. Louis R. Lamontagne, President and CEO of Neurochem. "In the coming months, we will continue to advance our product development program for Alzheimer's Disease. Our comprehensive pipeline includes our lead Alzheimer's therapeutic, Alzhemed(TM), which is expected to advance to Phase II trials during 2002 and our pre-clinical vaccine program aimed at preventing amyloid deposition," he added.
"Our multi-pronged research approach illustrates our commitment to developing a greater understanding of the biology of amyloid as it relates to Alzheimer's Disease, and to addressing this growing health concern in the years to come," said Dr. Gervais. "By understanding the role of amyloid in the disease as well as the importance of the inflammatory response to amyloid in the brain, Neurochem can develop effective therapeutics and diagnostics to treat and prevent this debilitating brain disorder," she added.
About GAG Mimetics
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Neurochem's innovative core technology, GAG Mimetics, consists of the design and synthesis of compounds that mimic the properties of sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are complex carbohydrates that promote the amyloid fibril formation and deposition that is characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease. Neurochem's synthetic compounds compete with the naturally occurring GAGs by interfering with the formation and deposition of amyloid aggregates. This biochemical "deception" has been proven successful in studies, showing that the compounds disrupt the formation of amyloid plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease and many other detrimental amyloid-based diseases.
About Neurochem
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Neurochem is an industry leader in the development of therapeutic drugs and diagnostic tools for central nervous system and amyloid-related diseases associated with aging. The Company has built a strong product pipeline by developing a novel, proprietary series of compounds that inhibit the formation, deposition and toxic effects of amyloid fibrils within the body. Neurochem's therapeutic programs target Alzheimer's Disease, Epilepsy, Systemic Amyloidosis, Diabetes Type II and Hemorrhagic Stroke (due to Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy). Neurochem is using a multi-pronged approach towards the development of pharmaceuticals for Alzheimer's Disease, including glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) mimetics, a vaccine, an anti-inflammatory and a neuroprotective approach as well as the creation of a diagnostic imaging tool. The Company has advanced to date three drug candidates to clinical trials: Alzhemed(TM), for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, Fibrillex(TM), for the orphan disease Secondary Amyloidosis, and Cerebril(TM), for Hemorrhagic Stroke. At present, the Company employs over 70 people and is located in Saint- Laurent, Canada (www.neurochem.com).
All of the statements contained in this news release, other than statements of fact that are independently verifiable at the date hereof, are forward-looking statements. Such statements, based as they are on the current expectations of management, inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown. Some examples of known risks are: the impact of general economic conditions, general conditions in the pharmaceutical industry, changes in the regulatory environment in the jurisdictions in which Neurochem does business, stock market volatility, fluctuations in costs, and changes to the competitive environment due to consolidation or otherwise. Consequently, actual future results may differ materially from the anticipated results expressed in the forward-looking statements.
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For further information: Dr. Lise Hebert, Director, Communications and Investor Relations & Project Management, lhebert@neurochem.com, Tel: (514) 337-4646, Fax: (514) 337-5339; Nathalie Bourque, National Public Relations, nbourque@mtl.national.ca, Tel: (514) 843-7171, Fax: (514) 843-6976; Karla MacDonald or Sarah Emond, Feinstein Kean Healthcare, kmacdonald@fkhealth.com or semond@fkhealth.com, Tel: (617) 577-8110, Fax: (617) 577-8985
© 2001 Canada Newswire Ltd.