2003 - [Phenserine][Amyloid Precursor Protein]
Press Release Source: Axonyx Inc.
Axonyx's Phenserine Discussed in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Wednesday May 7, 8:33 am ET
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2003--Axonyx Inc. (NASDAQ:AXYX - News)
Preclinical Data Provides Further Details on Phenserine's
Mechanism of Action to Reduce Production of Amyloid Precursor Protein
Axonyx Inc. (NASDAQ:AXYX - News) announced today that an article in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (J. of AD) revealed preclinical data that provides further details on Phenserine's mechanism of action to reduce production of amyloid precursor protein (APP).
APP is the precursor of beta amyloid, the toxic substance involved in the death of nerve cells in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
The details of this potential mechanism of action were discussed by Dr. Debemoy Lahiri, Indiana University School of Medicine and colleagues at the National Institute on Aging, Harvard Medical School, and Universite de Caen, France, and published in an article entitled: "Role of cytokines in the gene expression of amyloid beta protein precursor: Identification of a 5'-UTR-Binding nuclear factor and its implication in Alzheimer's disease;" J. of AD, 5(2003), 81-90 (A).
Dr. Debemoy Lahiri stated: "In this preclinical study we examined the structure of the 5' UTR of APP messenger RNA and revealed how the 5' UTR is acted on by different cytokines, such as IL-1, TNF, that are involved in the neuroinflammatory cascade of events leading to AD pathogenesis. The drug Phenserine is significant in this context because it has been shown to reduce APP through the same 5' UTR element."
"We have always emphasized the unique advantages of Phenserine for Alzheimer's disease because of its dual ability to improve memory as well as potentially slow disease progression," stated Marvin S. Hausman MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Axonyx. "I congratulate Dr. Lahiri and his colleagues on a beautiful piece of scientific sleuthing that may shed light on a disease process that has seen few recent therapeutic breakthroughs."
Phenserine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor licensed by Axonyx from the NIH/PHS that is scheduled to undergo clinical testing in a planned Phase III program initially in Europe.
Note (A) "Role of cytokines in the gene expression of amyloid B-protein precursor: Identification of a 5'UTR-Binding nuclear factor and its implications in Alzheimer's disease." D.K. Lahiri (a), D. Chen (a), D. Vivien (b), Y.-W. Ge (a), N.H. Greig (c) and J.T. Rogers (d). Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 5 (2003) 81-90.
(a) Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
(b) UMR CNRS, Universite de Caen, France
(c) Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland
(d) Genetics and Aging Unit, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
About Axonyx
Axonyx Inc. is a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company engaged in the acquisition and development of proprietary pharmaceutical compounds and new technologies useful in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, human memory disorders and prion-based illnesses such as Mad Cow Disease.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements or predictions. These statements represent our judgment to date, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could materially affect the Company including those risks and uncertainties described in the documents Axonyx files from time to time with the SEC, specifically Axonyx's annual report on Form 10-K. Among other things, Axonyx cannot assure that regulating APP will slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease, that pre-clinical results will translate into positive human data, that the Phenserine Phase III clinical trial will be initiated as scheduled, that Axonyx will obtain the necessary financing to complete any Phenserine Phase III clinical trial, that future clinical trials, if any, with Phenserine will prove successful, that the results of any Phase III clinical trials will allow Phenserine to be approved by the FDA, that the FDA will grant marketing approval for Phenserine, or that if Phenserine is approved by the FDA, it will prove competitive in the market. Axonyx undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Contact:
Axonyx
Victoria Trahan, 212/645-7704
Website: www.axonyx.com
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