The following message was updated on 6/27/2016 10:12:45 PM.
In response to msg 15580 by Rob Cos view thread Re: JMP last night- development- stage names that we believe offer compelling value for the biotech investor. Also rare opportunity to acquire large caps at < 1 x's growth.... "Alzheimers is one of the most intractable diseases known to medicine, and chipping away at this devastating illness could go a long way toward reinstituting confidence amongst investors (and hopefully, the generalist) that no problem is too large for current medical science to resolve or beat back. Further, the general consensus is that a successful Alzheimer’s disease drug could become the largest selling drug on the planet, outstripping sales of Ibrance (Pfizer, PFE, NC) and immune checkpoint inhibitors like Opdivo (Bristol-Myers Squibb, BMY, NC)."
*Considering the 'very' preliminary early indications of astounding efficacy, it is possible that AVXL (MC of ~ $250M), currently trialing their A2-73 in Australia, may be long-shot favorite to watch for Alzheimer's - they don't really appear to be pursuing the 'chipping away' (read incremental improvements) approach though.....seem more aligned with going for the Holy Grail approach; their approach is NOT a variation of the popular plaque reduction route.
From a 5/10/16 SA piece by Lane Simonian
"Moreover, science seems to back the early results. Alzheimer's is most likely a disease caused by oxidative stress which can probably be treated with certain antioxidants. Anavex 2-73 partially fits this bill as by impeding the interaction between PSD 95 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, it reduces the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO-). Peroxynitrite inhibits the uptake of choline, the enzyme choline acetyltransferase, and the release of acetylcholine through muscarinic acetylcholine receptors which prevents the retrieval of short-term memories and it activates caspase 3 causing the death of neurons. (Image one, Image two, and Study.)
If Anavex 2-73 reduces the formation of peroxynitrite sufficiently it would prevent the further decline in acetylcholine and the death of neurons. In short it would stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease. If it partially reverses the damage done by peroxynitrite, it would increase acetylcholine levels (and thus the retrieval of short-term memory) and the regeneration of neurons in the hippocampus. In short, it would partially reverse Alzheimer's disease. The early data suggests the latter is what is happening with Anavex 2-73."
*No idea whether his (Lane Simonian) interpretation of the 'apparent' mechanism of action is fully correct, but the very preliminary 'results' appear to indicate a trend for unheard of efficacy - their trial is for early Alzheimer's btw, and further 12 week and possibly 26 week results are expected at the upcoming late July AAIC Alzheimer's Conference.
BTW - A2-73 was recently awarded ODD for Infantile Spasms and Rett Syndrome, ODD to their A3-73 for Frontotemporal Dementia, and have reported astounding pre-clinical results for epilepsy.....M.J.Fox Foundation is also fully funding a pre-clinical (animal) study of A2-73 for Parkinson's.
Assuming the AAIC results further confirm efficacy of A2-73 in early Alzheimer's, my guess is BTD will likely follow within a few months.
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