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January 29, 2002
Neurochem scientists release finding on in vivo inhibition of amyloid formation and
deposition in Alzheimer's Disease research program. About the Presentations Dr. Francine Gervais, Neurochem's Vice-President, Research and Development made three presentations at this year's symposium covering a variety of neurological topics related to Alzheimer's Disease, including amyloid biology, GAG mimetic compounds and the role of macrophages in brain amyloidosis:
"By advancing the understanding of the biological processes related to disease
progression, we at Neurochem are both expanding our focus on diseases of the central
nervous system as well as establishing our leadership position in the field of
Alzheimer's Disease research," said Dr. Louis R. Lamontagne, President and CEO
of Neurochem. "In the coming months, we will continue to advance our product
development program for Alzheimer's Disease. Our comprehensive pipeline includes our
lead Alzheimer's therapeutic, Alzhemed™, which is expected to advance to Phase II
trials during 2002 and our pre-clinical vaccine program aimed at preventing amyloid
deposition," he added. About GAG Mimetics
Neurochem's innovative core technology, GAG Mimetics, consists of the design and synthesis
of compounds that mimic the properties of sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are
complex carbohydrates that promote the amyloid fibril formation and deposition that is
characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease. Neurochem's synthetic compounds compete with the
naturally occurring GAGs by interfering with the formation and deposition of amyloid
aggregates. This biochemical "deception" has been proven successful in studies,
showing that the compounds disrupt the formation of amyloid plaques characteristic of
Alzheimer's Disease and many other detrimental amyloid-based diseases. About Neurochem
Neurochem is an industry leader in the development of therapeutic drugs and diagnostic tools
for central nervous system and amyloid-related diseases associated with aging. The Company
has built a strong product pipeline by developing a novel, proprietary series of compounds
that inhibit the formation, deposition and toxic effects of amyloid fibrils within the body.
Neurochem's therapeutic programs target Alzheimer's Disease, Epilepsy, Systemic Amyloidosis,
Diabetes Type II and Hemorrhagic Stroke (due to Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy). Neurochem is
using a multi-pronged approach towards the development of pharmaceuticals for Alzheimer's
Disease, including glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) mimetics, a vaccine, an anti-inflammatory and a
neuroprotective approach as well as the creation of a diagnostic imaging tool. The Company has
advanced to date three drug candidates to clinical trials: Alzhemed™, for the treatment
of Alzheimer's Disease, Fibrillex™, for the orphan disease Secondary Amyloidosis, and
Cerebril™, for Hemorrhagic Stroke. At present, the Company employs over 70 people and
is located in Saint-Laurent, Canada (www.neurochem.com).
All of the statements contained in this news release, other than statements of fact which
are independently verifiable at the date hereof, are forward-looking statements. Such
statements, based as they are on the current expectations of management, inherently involve
numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown. Some examples of known risks are: the
impact of general economic conditions, general conditions in the pharmaceutical industry, changes
in the regulatory environment in the jurisdictions in which Neurochem does business, stock
market volatility, fluctuations in costs, and changes to the competitive environment due to
consolidation or otherwise. Consequently, actual future results may differ materially from
the anticipated results expressed in the forward-looking statements.
For further Information, please contact: |
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