NEW YORK, July 14, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anavex Life Sciences Corp. ("Anavex" or the "Company") (OTCQB:AVXL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel drug candidates to treat Alzheimer's disease, other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) and various types of cancer, has unveiled promising preclinical data for ANAVEX 3-71 (formerly AF710B) in a presentation at the 2014 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC).
Presented by Dr. Abraham Fisher, a member of the Anavex Scientific Advisory Board and one of the study authors, the data shows ANAVEX 3-71 to be disease modifying and highly effective in very small doses at countering the effects of major Alzheimer's hallmarks in a transgenic mouse model 3xTg-AD. Those hallmarks include cognitive deficits, amyloid and tau pathologies, as well as neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunctions. Reducing these major hallmarks has the potential to slow, stop or reverse Alzheimer's disease.
ANAVEX 3-71 indicates extensive therapeutic advantages in Alzheimer's and other protein-aggregation-related diseases given its ability to enhance neuroprotection and cognition via sigma-1 receptor activation and M1 muscarinic allosteric modulation.
"A future therapy should target all the disease hallmarks, regardless of the etiology of Alzheimer's disease," said Abraham Fisher, PhD. "In this regard, ANAVEX 3-71 exhibits a comprehensive therapeutic profile through a synchronized sigma-1 receptor activation and M1 muscarinic modulation."
"With ANAVEX 3-71, we have another promising small molecule candidate for Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative diseases in our pipeline with a very robust preclinical validation," said Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex. "We look forward to advancing ANAVEX 3-71 further into the clinic after the required GLP manufacturing and toxicology studies."
The data was presented by Dr. Abraham Fisher at AAIC on July 13, 2014 in the Non-amyloid Based Therapies main session in a lecture entitled, "M1 Muscarinic Agonists and a Multipotent Activator of Sigma1/M1 Muscarinic Receptors: Future Therapeutics of Alzheimer's Disease."
AAIC is taking place July 12 to July 17, 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the world's premiere forum for reporting and discussion of groundbreaking research and information on the cause, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Additional information about the conference is available at http://www.alz.org/aaic/.
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 disease, other CNS diseases and various types of cancer. ANAVEX 2-73, an orally available drug candidate developed to treat Alzheimer's disease through potential disease modification, has undergone an initial Phase 1 human clinical trial and was well tolerated in doses up to 55mg. Results from preclinical studies indicate that ANAVEX 2-73 demonstrates anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties. A highly encouraging synergistic effect has also been observed between ANAVEX 2-73 and donepezil (Aricept®). The combined therapeutic, 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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