Anavex Life Sciences Corp (AVXL)

[nidan7500]

ANAVEX 2-73, a Sigma-1 Receptor Agonist, Targeting Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Diseases

Daniel Klamer
Vice President, Business Development & Scientific Strategy
Anavex Life Sciences

 


Abstract:
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: AVXL) is a publicly traded clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Anavex’s lead candidate, ANAVEX 2-73, is an orally available compound that restores cellular homeostasis by targeting Sigma-1 and muscarinic receptors. ANAVEX 2-73, has demonstrated good safety, bioavailability, and tolerability in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials. In addition, data from an ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial in Alzheimer’s Disease demonstrates dose dependent cognitive improvements. The compound also exhibits anticonvulsant, anti-amnesic, neuroprotective and anti-depressant properties in animal models, indicating its potential to treat a broad range of CNS disorders.
ANAVEX 2-73 significantly improves multiple behavioral phenotypes in the Rett Syndrome mouse model in a dose-related manner. Based on these data, Anavex Life Sciences will start a U.S. multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial of ANAVEX 2-73 for the treatment of Rett Syndrome with the support of Rettsyndrome.org.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research awarded Anavex Life Sciences a research grant to develop ANAVEX 2-73 for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. Ongoing preclinical research in this therapeutic area demonstrates that ANAVEX 2-73 ameliorates motor deficits in spontaneous rotational activity and forelimb use asymmetry, and exerts significant neurorestorative effects on the damaged nigrostriatal dopamine system.
The scientific rationale, preclinical data, and clinical development path of ANAVEX 2-73 as a novel treatment strategy for Rett Syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis will be discussed in more detail. This presentation will explore the links between preclinical findings and clinical trial development trajectory in our ongoing translational research efforts