Amorfix : New Insights Into Alzheimer's Disease Pre-Clinical Development Mouse Models

July 12, 2010 - Amorfix Quantifies Rate of Accumulation of Amyloid in Seven Mouse Models of AD – Amorfix Life Sciences, a company focused on treatments and diagnostics for misfolded protein diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), has used its A4 test to compare the rate of accumulation of aggregated Abeta in the brain tissue of various mouse models of AD. Amorfix presented this new data at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD 2010) this week.
The paper presented by Amorfix entitled “Early Detection of Beta-Amyloid Aggregation in In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Alzheimer’s Disease” characterized seven different AD mouse models by quantitatively measuring the beta-amyloid (Abeta) aggregates in brain tissue from animals 1 month to 14 months of age. The accumulation of Abeta is the hallmark of AD in humans, and a number of cell-culture and animal models have been developed to mimic AD pathology. The A4 (Amorfix Aggregated Abeta Assay) was developed to provide a quantitative method for detection of aggregated species of Abeta... [PDF] Amorfix Life Sciences' Press Release -

Plexxikon : Novel Agent Significantly Inhibits Activation of Key CNS Cells Associated With Alzheimer's Disease

July 14, 2010 - Plexxikon Inc. announced promising preclinical data from in vivo Alzheimer’s Disease studies demonstrating a dramatic reduction in activated microglia in the brains of very old (22 months) 3xTG-AD mice, a triple transgenic model for Alzheimer’s Disease. This reduction of activated microglia led to significantly improved learning in the treated group. PLX3397 is an oral, brain-permeable, potent and selective inhibitor of a kinase target associated with Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (CSF-1), a cytokine which is necessary for the activation of microglia and proliferation of macrophages. These cells play key roles in inflammation and cancer. These data were presented yesterday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Honolulu, Hawaii... Plexxikon's Press Release -

Schwabe Pharmaceuticals : Major study shows that long-term intake of Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761® protects against Alzheimer's disease

22 June 2010 - For the very first time, a medicine has been shown to protect against the development of Alzheimer’s disease. French scientists were able to demonstrate that taking 240 mg of Ginkgo extract EGb 761® per day regularly over a period of at least 4 years can cut the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by nearly 50%.

“The results of the GuidAge study are remarkable”, according to Prof. Michael Habs, Managing Director at Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe, producers of EGb 761® (Tebonin®, pharmacy only). “It is the first time ever that a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease has been demonstrated for a medicine. The multifaceted effects of the plant extract appear to positively influence the complex developmental processes of dementia.”

The GuidAge study was a large-scale study, in which 2854 elderly people with memory complaints were randomly assigned to receive either 240 mg/day of the patented Ginkgo special extract or a placebo for five years... Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals' Press Release -

Watson Pharmaceuticals : Generic Exelon

July 1, 2010 - Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) announced that, under a settlement with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis AG, Novartis International Pharmaceutical Ltd., and Proterra AG (collectively "Novartis"), Watson has commenced shipment of a generic version of Exelon(R) (rivastigmine tartrate) 1.5mg, 3mg, 4.5mg and 6mg capsules.

Exelon(R) is used to treat dementia (a brain disorder that affects the ability to remember, think clearly, communicate, and perform daily activities and may cause changes in mood and personality) in people with Alzheimer's disease... Watson Pharmaceuticals' Press Release -

GTX Corp and Aetrex Worldwide, Inc. : Licensing Agreement to Deliver Patented GPS Shoes Worldwide

June 30, 2010 – GTX Corp (OTCBB: GTXO), a leader in customizable, patented two‐way GPS Tracking Personal Location Services (PLS) solutions, received its first commercial order from Aetrex Worldwide, Inc. , a leading maker of orthotic and therapeutic shoes. Aetrex’s initial order for 3,000 GPS devices to be embedded in the Aetrex Ambulator® collection brings a durable, reliable solution for monitoring the location of the 5.3 million seniors in the US afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. GTX will begin to ship the devices this summer in order for Aetrex to prepare for the launch date which is scheduled to coincide with the National Alzheimer Association memory walks this fall.

GTX Corp’s GPS‐enabled shoes provide caregivers and loved ones a safe, unobtrusive means to easily find those afflicted with Alzheimer’s that might wander and become lost. GTX Corp’s eight patents for the GPS Shoe cover a GPS transceiver module that is placed within the shoe. The module transmits the wearer’s location coordinates to a central monitoring station which disseminates the location data through the use of proprietary software, cellular connectivity, the GTX Corp middleware platform and secure viewing portal... [PDF] GTX's Press Release - [PDF] Aetrex's Press Release -

Vermillion : Issuance of Patent for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

June 29, 2010 - Vermillion, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company, announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a notice of allowance of a patent entitled "Biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease" to the Company. The patent claims are directed to biomarker combinations for the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease and to the measurement of the biomarkers by a variety of methods, including mass spectrometry and immunoassay... Vermillion's Press Release -

Intellect Neurosciences : Notice of Allowance for Patent on Alzheimer's Drug from the Israeli Patent and Trademark Office

June 9, 2010 / Intellect Neurosciences, Inc (OTCBB: ILNS) announced it has received a Notice of Allowance from the Israeli Patent and Trademark Office for a new patent related to the Company's clinical-stage drug candidate OX1 (OXIGON™), which has disease-modifying potential for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disorders. OX1, which has been successfully tested by the Company in human Phase I safety trials, is an orally-administered, brain-penetrating, naturally-occurring copper-binding small molecule targeting multiple mechanisms that contribute significantly to the underlying pathology of Alzheimer's disease... Intellect Neurosciences' Press Release -

Ipsen : Encouraging results of GuidAge®, large scale European trial conducted in the prevention of Alzheimer’s Dementia

22 June 2010 - Primary efficacy objective (to delay conversion to Alzheimer’s Dementia): - Unmet in overall study population, Met in patients treated for a duration of at least 4 years - The GuidAge® study marks a milestone for future research on Alzheimer’s Disease and for prevention strategies - Ipsen intends to transfer a unique biobank to French Academic research - Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) announced top line results of GuidAge®, the longest (5 years) and largest (2,854 subjects) European study in the prevention of Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD). This trial was conducted according to the most stringent international standards. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a 5-year treatment with EGb 761® in the prevention of Alzheimer’s Dementia in a population of elderly aged 70 or more, with memory complaint spontaneously expressed to their family physician and who lived at home at the inclusion in the study...

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...About EGb 761®
EGb 761®, which is the active substance of Tanakan®, is a unique standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba. This compound features antioxidant and neuroprotective property as well as an action on β-amyloid protein in experimental models. Its consistent composition in pharmacologically active substances is achieved through specially designed plantations of Ginkgo biloba (dioecious tree in the Ginkgoaceae family) that are cultivated under controlled conditions and a standardised extraction and purification process. EGb 761® is indicated and registered in many countries for the treatment of cognitive disorders in the elderly as well as neurosensory disorders.

About GuidAge®
The aim of the GuidAge® study was to assess the efficacy of EGb 761® at a dose of 240 mg daily in the prevention of Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD) in a population of subjects aged 70 or more with a memory complaint spontaneously expressed to their family physician and living at home at the inclusion. GuidAge® is the longest and largest European study in this disease and has been conducted in full compliance with the most stringent international standards. GuidAge® was a 5-year double-blind randomized trial versus placebo conducted in France by a network of family physicians and memory clinics. The primary endpoint was the incidence of AD during a 5-year follow-up period. A total of 2,854 subjects were enrolled between March 2002 and November 2004. At entry, the mean age of the study population was 76.3 (±4.4), with mean MMSE (Mini Mental State Evaluation) at entry of 27.6 (± 1.9). Last patient last treatment date was November 2009.
The outcomes of the study pointed out that 134 individuals developed dementia of Alzheimer’s type, including 61 patients (4.3%) in the EGb 761® group and 73 patients (5.2%) in the placebo group; this difference was not significant (p=0.31). Global conversion rate found in the placebo group (5.2%) was 50% lower than usually reported in the general French population. In planned pre-specified analysis, results were in favour of EGb 761® in patients treated for at least 4 years (1.6% versus 3.0% in the placebo group, p=0.03) and in males (2.9% versus 7.0% in the placebo group, p=0.007).
Both the dose and indication in the GuidAge® study are not approved by regulatory authorities... [PDF] Ipsen's Press Release -