NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anavex Life Sciences Corp. ("Anavex" or the "Company") (OTCQB:AVXL) today announced that Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, will be presenting at the 16th Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference on Monday, February 10, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. ET in the Conrad Room. The conference will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, NY.
Dr. Missling's presentation will include an overview of ANAVEX PLUS, a promising, potentially novel combination drug for Alzheimer's disease that combines ANAVEX 2-73 with Aricept® (donepezil), the world's best-selling Alzheimer's drug with $4 billion in annual sales. Anavex is planning to initiate a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial with ANAVEX PLUS in the first half of 2014.
ANAVEX PLUS shows a highly encouraging synergistic effect in Alzheimer's disease models, producing up to 80% greater reversal of memory loss and neuroprotection when used in combination, versus when Aricept® (donepezil) and ANAVEX 2-73 were administered individually. Aricept® (donepezil) is now generic, however a patent application filed for ANAVEX PLUS, if granted, would provide protection until at least 2033.
The BIO CEO & Investor Conference is one of the world's largest investor conferences focused on established and emerging biotech companies. Each year, the conference handpicks presenters from companies that typically have a clinical-stage program as well as an upcoming clinical, regulatory or corporate catalyst. Attendees include institutional and venture investors whose primary activity is direct investment in research and development companies, as well as equity research analysts.
About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of novel drug candidates to treat Alzheimer's, CNS diseases and various types of cancer. ANAVEX 2-73, an orally available drug candidate developed to treat Alzheimer's through potential disease modification, has undergone an initial Phase 1 human clinical trial and was well tolerated in doses up to 55mg. Results from pre-clinical studies indicate that ANAVEX 2-73 demonstrates anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties. A highly encouraging synergistic effect has been observed between ANAVEX 2-73 and Aricept® (donepezil). The combined therapeutics, called ANAVEX PLUS, produced up to 80% greater reversal of memory loss in Alzheimer's disease models versus when the drugs were used individually. Anavex is a publicly traded corporation quoted as AVXL.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
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