NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (“Anavex” or the “Company”)
(Nasdaq:AVXL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of
neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain
and various types of cancer, today announced that it has signed a material transfer agreement with Biogen (Cambridge, MA) under
which Biogen will test Anavex’s lead drug candidate, ANAVEX 2-73 in an oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation assay.
A satisfactory result from the OPC assay study may lead to an in vivo remyelination study using a chemical demyelination model.
“Battling demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis requires an understanding of the processes that
cause remyelination to fail. Remyelination of demyelinated axons is typically a function of oligodendrocyte precursor cells.
These studies will examine the therapeutic role ANAVEX 2-73 may play in permitting remyelination in the brain,” said Christopher U.
Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex.
About Biogen
Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen (Nasdaq:BIIB) discovers, develops and delivers worldwide
innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological, autoimmune and rare diseases. Founded in 1978, Biogen is one of
the world’s oldest independent biotechnology companies and patients worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis and
innovative hemophilia therapies. For more information, please visit www.biogen.com. Follow us on Twitter.
About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq:AVXL) is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the
development of differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases including
Alzheimer’s disease, other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types of cancer. Anavex’s lead drug candidate,
ANAVEX 2-73, is currently in a Phase 2a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease. ANAVEX 2-73 is an orally available drug candidate
that targets sigma-1 and muscarinic receptors and successfully completed Phase 1 with a clean safety profile. Preclinical studies
demonstrated its potential to halt and/or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease. It has also exhibited anticonvulsant,
anti-amnesic, neuroprotective and anti-depressant properties in animal models, indicating its potential to treat additional CNS
disorders, including epilepsy and others. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has awarded Anavex a research
grant to develop ANAVEX 2-73 for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease to fully fund a preclinical study, which could justify moving
ANAVEX 2-73 into a Parkinson’s disease clinical trial. ANAVEX 3-71, also targeting sigma-1 and M1 muscarinic receptors, is a
promising preclinical drug candidate demonstrating disease modifications against the major Alzheimer’s hallmarks in transgenic
(3xTg-AD) mice, including cognitive deficits, amyloid and tau pathologies, and also with beneficial effects on neuroinflammation
and mitochondrial dysfunctions. Further information is available at www.anavex.com.
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.
For Further Information: Anavex Life Sciences Corp. Research & Business Development Toll-free: 1-844-689-3939 Email: info@anavex.com Investors: Matthew Haines River East Investor Relations, LLC 917-733-9297 mhaines@rivereastir.com Media: Dennis Dobson, Jr. Dobson Media Group (203) 258-0159 dennisdobsonjr@dobsonmediagroup.com
