Anavex advances drug candidate for treatment of Alzheimer...(lt ofthe destruction of nerve cells in t...)

Date:11/28/2007

lt of the destruction of nerve cells in the brain. Dementia affects an estimated 37 million people worldwide and approximately 50% of these cases are caused by Alzheimer's disease. In March 2007, the Alzheimer's Association reported that 5.1 million people in the United States (4.9 million of whom are aged 65 and older) are living with Alzheimer's disease. This represents an increase of at least 10% from the previous prevalence estimate of 4.5 million. By 2015, there could be as many as 16.8 million people with Alzheimer's disease in the major seven pharmaceutical markets unless novel drug treatment therapies are discovered.

Medications currently available to treat Alzheimer's disease include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D aspartate receptor antagonists. Both types of medications only treat symptoms of the disease - they do not stop the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

In conclusion, there are very real and unmet medical requirements for drug therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease. The impressive market size leaves no doubt for the business opportunity presented by treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

Drugs able to act on the underlying disease pathology and modify disease onset and progression, demonstrating neuroprotective, anti-amnesic and preventive properties combined with excellent safety and low toxicity, have the potential for blockbuster sales.

About Sigma Receptors

Sigma receptors are a unique family of proteins, present mainly in the Central Nervous System (CNS) but also in various peripheral tissues. The receptors are classified in two subtypes: the sigma-1 and sigma-2. These subtypes are distinguishable pharmacologically, functionally and by molecular size. Sigma-1 receptors have been cloned and shown to be distinct from any known receptor class.

In the CNS, they are involved in the modulation of neurotransmitter receptor function, neurotransmitter release and response, as well as mem
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SOURCE Anavex Life Sciences Corp. Copyright©2007 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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