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February 19, 2002
Neurochem receives U.S. patent for amyloid program. About Amyloidosis and Related Disorders
Amyloidosis is a diverse group of disorders characterized by extracelluar tissue deposits
of amyloid fibrils. Individual amyloid fibrils can build up as a result of an association
with other proteins, including the complex carbohydrates known as sulphated glycosaminoglycans
(GAGs). The deposits form a solid, highly toxic mass, which limits cellular functioning or
even kills the cells upon which they accumulate. Neurochem's innovative therapeutic approach
to amyloid-related diseases is based on preventing and stopping the deposition of amyloid
fibrils and eliminating the amyloid fibrils associated toxicity. Amyloid deposits within
the brain or in the blood vessels are associated with the development of Alzheimer's Disease
and Hemorrhagic Stroke respectively. The amyloid deposits found in Secondary Amyloidosis
are associated with certain inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and
Crohn's Disease. 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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