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Athenagen Announces Publication
of Results from a Proof-of-Concept Trial of its Novel alpha-7
Nicotinic Receptor Agonist in Schizophrenia
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO , CA - JUNE 15, 2006
Athenagen, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical
company, reported today that its lead compound, GTS-21, a novel,
orally
active alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptor agonist, demonstrated
cognition enhancement activity in a proof-of-concept study in patients with
schizophrenia. The study was published in the June issue of the Archives of
General Psychiatry (2006; 63:630-638), a peer-reviewed publication of the American
Medical Association.
The NIH-funded study was conducted by Dr. Robert Freedman, Professor and Chairman
of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Health Sciences
Center. Patients were randomized into a double-blind crossover trial of two
drug doses and one placebo arm. Significant neurocognitive improvement was
found on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological
Status total scale score, particularly for the lower dose, compared with
placebo. Significant improvement in P50 inhibition also occurred and the
drug was generally well tolerated.
“We are encouraged by these data demonstrating
utility of GTS-21 for cognition enhancement in schizophrenia,” stated
Henry Hsu, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Athenagen. “Taken
together with Phase 1 data demonstrating safety and also cognition
enhancement in healthy volunteers, we intend to further study
GTS-21 in diseases associated with cognitive deficiency, such
as Alzheimer’s disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.”
About GTS-21
GTS-21 (also known as DMBX-A), is a novel, small-molecule,
orally active and selective alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine
(nACh) receptor agonist that has demonstrated memory and cognition
enhancement activity in human clinical trials. Athenagen licensed
the exclusive rights to the compound and a related library
of analogs as part of the acquisition of Osprey Pharmaceutical
Company in April 2006. GTS-21 has been studied in multiple
Phase I studies in healthy volunteers and one Phase I/II study
in schizophrenic patients. In all studies, the compound was
well tolerated. In a Phase I multi-dose, double-blind, placebo
controlled study in healthy adults, GTS-21 also demonstrated
cognitive enhancement across all doses, with a statistically
significant improvement in attention related and memory related
tasks (Kitagawa, et al. Neuropsychopharmacology (2003), 28,
542-551).
About Athenagen
Athenagen, Inc., located in South San Francisco, is engaged in the development
of small- molecule drugs that act on the nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptor
pathway. The company’s lead nACh receptor agonists and antagonists
are being developed to treat diseases associated with enhanced or impaired
angiogenesis and to treat diseases in which cognitive deficit plays a significant
role. Athenagen currently has three product development programs acting on
this pathway: ATG003, a topical (eye drop) anti-angiogenesis compound for
neovascular AMD; ATG002, a topical (gel) pro-angiogenesis compound for diabetic
foot ulcers; and GTS-21, an oral nACh receptor agonist for cognition enhancement.
For more information: www.athenagen.com.
CONTACT:
W. Scott Harkonen, M.D.
President and CEO
(650) 869-7600
press@athenagen.com |
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