Thursday July 26, 9:15 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: NeoTherapeutics Inc.
NeoTherapeutics Reports Stem Cells Increased by 32% in Brains of Mice Treated With a Single Dose of Neotrofin(TM)
"...Neotrofin may reduce the need to use embryonic tissue as a source of brain stem cells..." Dr. Alvin J. Glasky, CEO NeoTherapeutics, Inc.
Data presented at "4th International Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders" meeting in Princeton, N.J.
IRVINE, Calif., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoTherapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: NEOT; NEOTW) announced today that Dr. Alvin J. Glasky, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, presented data on its lead compound, Neotrofin(TM), at the ``4th International Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders'' meeting in Princeton, N.J. Dr. Glasky showed data from experiments demonstrating a statistically significant increase of 32 percent in brain stem cells in the hippocampus of mice, an area of the brain associated with memory. In experiments conducted at NeoTherapeutics, the company has demonstrated that brain stem cells can mature into neurons and astrocytes. Studies are underway to assess the effect of Neotrofin on this differentiation process.
Neotrofin is a purine derivative that induces, in the nervous system, the production of certain proteins, called neurotrophic growth factors, that are involved with survival and differentiation of neurons. Neotrofin is currently in pivotal clinical studies as a therapy for Alzheimer's disease and in Phase 2 testing for Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury.
``I think this data is provocative and very exciting,'' said Dr. Zaven Khachaturian, former Associate Director of the Office of Alzheimer's Research at the National Institutes of Health. ``I certainly would want to learn more and see this kind of research continue, because it is my gut feeling that this is the kind of approach that is going to lead to the most viable treatments...much more effective than the options we have now.''
``Stem cell research is the cutting edge of new attempts to replace aging or diseased nerve cells,'' said CEO Dr. Alvin Glasky. ``Neotrofin appears to be a regenerative drug in the truest sense of the word in that it may enhance the brain's limited ability to repair itself by stimulating the production of new cells in the brain. Our greatest hope is that these new stem cells might one day prove to slow down or reverse a variety of neurodegenerative brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease,'' added Dr. Glasky. ``Neotrofin may be the first practical approach to unleash the therapeutic potential of brain stem cells. In addition, Neotrofin may reduce the need to use embryonic tissue as a source of brain stem cells for surgical implantation in neurodegenerative diseases.''
Brain stem cells are immature cells that retain the potential to multiply and develop into new nerve cells. This process is called neurogenesis. Once cells mature to become neurons they can no longer divide, and upon loss due to disease or injury, they must be replaced for the brain to retain function. The dogma had been that neurogenesis only occurs in young animals and humans and, that once an organism reaches adulthood, this process no longer occurs. This gave rise to the assumption that once nerve cells were lost there was no way to repopulate an injured or diseased brain. Loss of neurons is the basis for many diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and for the deficits seen as a result of spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and stroke.
NeoTherapeutics seeks to create value for shareholders through the development of central nervous system drugs by its neurology division, in- licensing and development of anti-cancer drugs through its NeoOncoRx subsidiary, and the licensing out of new drug targets through its NeoGene Technologies subsidiary. The Company's most advanced drug, Neotrofin(TM), is currently being developed for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury. For additional information visit the Company's web site at www.neotherapeutics.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of NeoTherapeutics that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks are described in further detail in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Siegal
Ronald Trahan Associates (RTA) Inc.
(508) 647-9782, ext. 15
INVESTOR RELATIONS
John McManus
NeoTherapeutics, Inc.
(949) 788-6700
SOURCE: NeoTherapeutics Inc. |
