Replies to post #25328 on Anavex Life Sciences Corp (AVXL)

[circa1762]

One reason is simply that mouse/animal studies are required before testing the drug in humans -- important for safety. Anavex's mouse studies were about more than just studying plaque removal -- mice do have neuronal structure similar to humans and a lot can be deduced about the action of the drug from testing on them. Mouse studies were what led Anavex to discover that 2-73 and donepezil have a strong synergistic relationship.

[stealthways]

A couple of additional thoughts:
-targeting upstream pathology (mis-folded proteins) very likely has outcomes uncorelated to plaque removal drugs (as almost 100% of previous drugs were)..
-also since they were not targeting plaque removal they could do tests on untreated mice ...for example see if they could make old mice smarter....

[Rwingsguy]

Where mouse studies will likely be more of a sure thing is with epilepsy. Neuronal firing is pretty consistent throughout species. What Alz phase 2a has shown thus far is that 2-73 does INDEED cross the blood-brain barrier in humans. Therefore, I expect a home run for epilepsy.

[BioTekkie]

Mouse studies are tricky. Why do studies on fruit flies or worms? Because they provide scientific answers faster and because scientists can manipulate the biology of these animals better then in humans. Scientists can make a mouse produce any protein they want and even make the mice glow different colors with fluorescent proteins. Any protein can be turned completely off, turned off only in certain tissues and organs , or even make that protein more "on" then usual. But u r right, mice don't develop AZ or autism but scientists studies these diseases in mice even if the "disease" is artificially created and to the best of their knowledge mimics the human disease. Primate studies are very expensive and take longer, so mice are the next best animal model in many cases.

[TrueTrades]

I concur with circa1762. I am not dismissing those studies, or their relevance. It was there that discoveries were made, as circa pointed-out. My point, I guess, is that many drugs failed in humans on the heels of successful mouse trials. I am glad we are on to human studies and about to get some meaningful data.

Rwingsguy: It will be interesting to compare the mouse model studies across indications. I would think neuroprotection against seizures is easier to identify than AD-antagonized cell death.

BioTekkie: Thank you for your comments and insight. Right on time!
§AVXLd