2005 - Vasogen's VP025 Prevents Detrimental Effects of Beta-amyloid Exposure in Experimental Model of Alzheimer's
TORONTO, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Vasogen Inc. (NASDAQ:VSGN;
TSX:VAS), a leader in the research and commercial development of technologies targeting chronic inflammation underlying cardiovascular and neurological disease, announced that new preclinical data presented yesterday at Neuroscience 2005, the Society for Neuroscience's 35th Annual Meeting in
Washington, DC, demonstrates the ability of VP025 to prevent the detrimental neurological effects of chronic beta-amyloid exposure in a model of Alzheimer's disease.
"We believe that the data presented, demonstrating the ability of VP025 to preserve memory and learning function in the presence of chronic beta-amyloid exposure, provides further evidence supporting the potential of VP025
as a new treatment for Alzheimer's and other dementias," stated Dr. Anthony Bolton, Vasogen's Chief Scientific Officer. "Having successfully completed our
phase I program, we look forward to moving VP025 into phase II clinical development in neuro-inflammatory disease."
Beta-amyloid is the major component of the plaques found in brains of Alzheimer's disease patients and is implicated in the development and progression of this condition. Beta-amyloid has also been linked to increased activation of microglial cells (inflammatory immune cells in the brain) and
reduced memory and learning function. The results presented today by Dr. Marina Lynch's team from the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, Ireland, demonstrate that VP025 both prevented microglial activation and preserved memory and learning function during chronic infusions of
beta-amyloid.
Yesterday, Vasogen also announced that two additional presentations of preclinical data at Neuroscience 2005 demonstrated the impact of VP025 on key inflammation-signaling pathways. VP025 was shown to inhibit p38 MAP kinase, a key component of the inflammation-signaling pathway, regulating IL-1, TNF-alpha, and other immune system responses associated with many inflammatory conditions.
In a separate model demonstrating the association of aging with increased inflammation in the central nervous system, VP025 was shown to increase CD200, a protein that controls inflammation and maintains microglial cells in an un-activated state.
Many neurological conditions are associated with an inflammatory response in the nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).
These conditions are characterized by increased levels of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, leading to
the death of nerve cells and the eventual loss of functional activity. Due to the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality associated with neuro-inflammatory diseases, they represent a significant medical, social, and financial burden.
About the Society for Neuroscience
The Society for Neuroscience is the world's largest organization of scientists devoted to the study of the brain. The 36,000 members of the Society include basic researchers studying the many neuroscience disciplines, and clinicians specializing in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry,
ophthalmology, and related fields. Neuroscience includes the study of brain development, sensation, perception, learning, memory, movement, sleep, stress, aging, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and the molecules, cells, and
genes responsible for nervous system functioning.
About Vasogen
Vasogen is focused on the research and commercial development of technologies targeting the chronic inflammation underlying cardiovascular and neurological disease. The Company's lead product, the Celacade(TM) technology, is currently in two pivotal phase III clinical trials designed to support regulatory approval in North America and commercialization in North America and Europe. The 550-patient phase III SIMPADICO trial, which is designed to further investigate the use of Celacade technology to improve intermittent claudication, a debilitating symptom associated with peripheral arterial disease, is being closed out at 50 centers in North America in preparation for
data analysis and reporting. The 2,400-patient phase III ACCLAIM trial,designed to further investigate the use of Celacade technology to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in patients with advanced chronic heart
failure, is fully enrolled and ongoing at 176 clinical centers in North America, Europe, and Israel. Vasogen is also developing a new class of drugs for the treatment of neuro-inflammatory disorders. VP025, which has completed
phase I clinical development, is the lead product candidate from this new class of drugs.
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