Anavex Life Sciences Novel Sigma-1 / Sigma-2 Ligand Shows Encouraging Results as an Analgesic in Animal Models of Neuropathic...
November 14 2016 - 7:00AM
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (“Anavex” or the “Company”)
(Nasdaq:AVXL) today reported encouraging preclinical efficacy for
the treatment of neuropathic pain and visceral pain with their
novel compound, ANAVEX 1066. The poster titled “Mixed sigma-1 /
sigma-2 ligands as analgesics: studies with ANAVEX 1066 in animal
models of neuropathic pain and visceral pain” was presented at the
annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience taking place from
November 12-16 in San Diego, California.
ANAVEX 1066 was tested in two models of neuropathic and visceral
pain that have been extensively validated in rats. In the
chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain, a
single oral administration of ANAVEX 1066 dose-dependently restored
the nociceptive threshold in the affected paw to normal levels
while leaving the contralateral healthy paw unchanged. Efficacy was
rapid and remained significant for two hours. In a model of
visceral pain, chronic colonic hypersensitivity was induced by
injection of an inflammatory agent directly into the colon and a
single oral administration of ANAVEX 1066 returned the nociceptive
threshold to control levels in a dose-dependent manner. Companion
studies in rats demonstrated the lack of any effects on normal
gastrointestinal transit with ANAVEX 1066 and a favorable safety
profile in a battery of behavioral measures.
Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Anavex, stated, “The therapeutic potential of ANAVEX
1066 in two distinct and poorly served populations, patients with
neuropathic pain and patients with visceral pain, is encouraging
and we look forward to advancing the program for ANAVEX 1066.”
The poster presentation is available on the Publications page of
Anavex’s website at http://www.anavex.com/publications/.
ABOUT NEUROPATHIC PAIN AND VISCERAL PAIN
Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to or disease affecting the
somatosensory nervous system. Neuropathic pain may be associated
with a heightened response to normal pain stimuli (hyperalgesia) or
pain from normally non-painful stimuli (allodynia). It may have
continuous and/or episodic (paroxysmal) components, the latter
resemble stabbing sensations or electric shocks. General population
studies, using validated screening instruments, have estimated that
7–8% of adults currently have chronic pain with neuropathic
characteristics.
Visceral pain results from the activation of nociceptors of the
thoracic, pelvic, or abdominal viscera. Visceral pain is diffuse,
difficult to localize and often considered by patients to have a
deep, sickening component. It may be accompanied by symptoms such
as nausea, vomiting, and changes in vital signs as well as
emotional manifestations. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a
dysfunctional condition causing recurrent attacks of abdominal
pain, has been estimated to affect 25% of the population in many
countries and accounts for 40–50% of all gastroenterologic
consultations worldwide.
ABOUT ANAVEX 1066
ANAVEX 1066, a mixed Sigma-1/Sigma-2 receptor ligand, has
previously demonstrated antitumor activity as well as analgesic
effects in an animal model of chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy.
Current therapies for neuropathic and visceral pain are not
satisfactory and thus new drugs acting on novel molecular targets
are actively being investigated.
About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq:AVXL) is a publicly traded
biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of
differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative
and neurodevelopmental diseases including Alzheimer’s disease,
other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types
of cancer. Anavex’s lead drug candidate, ANAVEX 2-73, is currently
in a Phase 2a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease. ANAVEX 2-73
is an orally available drug candidate that targets sigma-1 and
muscarinic receptors and successfully completed Phase 1 with a
clean safety profile. Preclinical studies demonstrated its
potential to halt and/or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease.
It has also exhibited anticonvulsant, anti-amnesic, neuroprotective
and anti-depressant properties in animal models, indicating its
potential to treat additional CNS disorders, including epilepsy and
others. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has
awarded Anavex a research grant to develop ANAVEX 2-73 for the
treatment of Parkinson’s disease to fully fund a preclinical study,
which could justify moving ANAVEX 2-73 into a Parkinson’s disease
clinical trial. ANAVEX 3-71, also targeting sigma-1 and M1
muscarinic receptors, is a promising preclinical drug candidate
demonstrating disease modifications against the major Alzheimer’s
hallmarks in transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice, including cognitive
deficits, amyloid and tau pathologies, and also with beneficial
effects on neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunctions.
Further information is available at www.anavex.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly
historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These
statements are only predictions based on current information and
expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected
in any of such statements due to various factors, including the
risks set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in
their entirety by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life
Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update this
press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date
hereof.
For Further Information:
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.Research & Business
DevelopmentToll-free: 1-844-689-3939Email:
info@anavex.com
Investors:Matthew HainesRiver East Investor Relations,
LLC917-733-9297mhaines@rivereastir.com
Media:Dennis Dobson, Jr.Dobson Media Group(203)
258-0159dennisdobsonjr@dobsonmediagroup.com
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