Quanterix Discovers Link Between Heart Attack–induced Hypoxia and Suspected Alzheimer’s Disease Pathway

April 12, 2011 - Single Molecule Technology First to Detect Increase in Alzheimer’s Disease Plaque Peptide Following Cardiac Arrest – Quanterix Corporation, enabling a new generation of diagnostics based on revolutionary Single Molecule Array (SiMoA™) technology, announced that significant elevations in blood levels of amyloid beta (Aβ) 42 peptide, a component of the plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, were detected in patients who experienced hypoxia (inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain) following cardiac arrest. The ability of SiMoA to measure extremely low abundance proteins has enabled discovery of a direct link between brain injury caused by hypoxia and increased Aβ42 levels in blood. Results were presented on April 12 at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting April 9–16 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Aβ42 testing was conducted at Quanterix on serum samples obtained from 26 resuscitated patients who were admitted to the Department of Surgical Sciences, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. In the study, all 26 patients exhibited a significant elevation of Aβ42 ranging from approximately 50% to over 30–fold. "These data are the first to show a correlation between hypoxic stress and the upregulation of Aβ42 in humans. The findings also indicate that Aβ42 levels after cardiac arrest correlate with long term cognitive outcome. The study highlights the potential of SiMoA to illuminate disease pathways involving proteins present at previously undetectable levels." said David Wilson, Ph.D., Senior Director, Product Development at Quanterix and lead author of the study... Quanterix's Press Release -

Revalesio : Alzheimer’s Disease Research at National Neurology Conference

April 4, 2011 - Revalesio Corporation, a pioneering biotechnology company, and Rush University will present research on the use of RNS60 in Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) meeting April 9-16 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“The data we’re presenting at AAN supports our work in establishing RNS60 as a strong therapeutic candidate across multiple inflammatory diseases,” said Richard Watson, M.D., Director of Clinical Research at Revalesio. “These findings, combined with the research recently presented at the American Society for Neurochemistry and American Academy of Asthma Allergy and Immunology, create a strong foundation for our development of novel CSN-based therapeutics to improve the outcomes of patients with inflammatory diseases. Combined with the excellent safety profile of RNS60 to date, the findings make a strong case for testing RNS60 in clinical trials,” said Dr. Watson.
Revalesio will present data at the national conference from studies in multiple preclinical models of Multiple Sclerosis that demonstrated a significant reduction in disease scores related to the use of RNS60. These results identify the strong potential of RNS60 as a low-risk therapeutic for treating Multiple Sclerosis.
Revalesio will also present data related to Alzheimer’s disease. In a well-established cell culture model of the disease, RNS60 dose-dependently inhibited the activation of a protein called Tau. Tau activation is a known cause behind the generation of neurofilament tangles often found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and is widely considered to be a contributor to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. RNS60 also protected neurons challenged with beta-amyloid from apoptosis (cell death)... Revalesio's Press Release -

Aurobindo Pharma : USFDA approval for Galantamine Tablets

30th March 2011 - Aurobindo Pharma Limited is pleased to announce that the company has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) to manufacture and market Galantamine Tablets USP 4mg, 8mg and 12mg

Galantamine Tablets USP 4mg, 8mg and 12mg is the generic version of Ortho McNeil Janssen Pharmaceutical, Inc's Razadyne® Tablets 4mg, 8mg and 12mg. The product falls under the neurological (CNS) therapeutic category and is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type. The product has a market size of approximately US$ 41 million for the twelve months ending September 2010 according to IMS and will be launched shortly... Aurobindo Pharma's Press Release -