Anavex Life Sciences Corp (AVXL)

[falconer66a]

Gotta have the right molecules.

They showed for the first time that preventing assembly of MAMs, either with gene therapy or a drug that blocked a key protein called the sigma-1 receptor (S1R), dramatically decreased beta secretase cleavage of palAPP in axons and lowered Abeta production. Conversely, a drug that activated S1R triggered an increase in beta secretase cleavage of palAPP and increased production of amyloid beta in axons.

Well, if this is all that could be known about the involvement of the sigma-1 receptor protein, it would sure look like activating it would trigger "increased production of amyloid beta in axons." Inasmuch as amyloid beta is a biomarker for Alzheimer's, and thought by most to be a substance that causes Alzheimer's symptoms, this study shows conclusively that activating it produces amyloid beta. Not good at all. Exactly the opposite of what is therapeutically desired. For Anavex, what gives?

Of course, blarcamesine (Anavex 2-73) does activate the sigma-1 receptor protein. BUT, as numerous studies have shown, it does not prompt amyloid beta production; just the opposite. Blarcamesine's particular (unique) activation of the sigma-1 receptor causes it to subsequently facilitate and modulate a number of downstream processes in the neuron that, in fact, make it work normally. Alzheimer's symptoms are thereby suppressed or prevented --- as the human clinical results will show when the big double-blind clinical trial of blarcamesine against Alzheimer's will reveal, some time next year.

The take away is this. A good number of molecules can be sigma-1 receptor ligands, molecules that attach and change its function(s). Most, as in the case of this study, disrupt the protein's normal modulation functions. Bad things ensue. Just the opposite with blarcamesine, and, as will be later proven, with Anavex 3-71.

This is why lots of testing must be done, to see what molecules work definitively as desired. Anavex has two that do. No other molecules, owned by anyone else, which are sigma-1 receptor protein ligands, have demonstrated the favorable therapeutic results (and safety) that Anavex has.

Gotta have the right molecules. Anavex has 'em. Others? Well, read the referenced study. Exactly the opposite results.