Small-Cap Investor Forum

[MissionIR]

Targacept, Inc. (TRGT) Says AstraZeneca will Advance Alzheimer’s Drug

Targacept, Inc. currently has five mid-to-late-stage drug candidates using innovative NNR Therapeutics for difficult to treat diseases and disorders of the nervous system. NNR Therapeutics selectively modulates the activity of specific neuronal nicotinic receptors, which are unique proteins that regulate vital biological functions.

The company today reported AstraZeneca has informed Targacept that it plans to progress the development of Targacept’s product candidate AZD1446 as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. AZD1446 is a selective modulator of the alpha4beta2 neuronal nicotinic receptor that arose out of a research collaboration between the two companies.

The two companies signed a collaborative research and license agreement in 2005. Under terms of this agreement, AstraZeneca is responsible for conducting and funding the development and potential commercialization of AZD1446.

The next clinical trial of AZD1446 is expected to be a Phase 2 study as an adjunct treatment to donepezil in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. This study will complement the ongoing Phase 2b study of another of Targacept’s drugs, AZD3480, being used as a sole therapy for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

For further information about Targacept and its pipeline of drugs, please visit the company’s website at www.targacept.com