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July 27, 1999
Neurochem Inc. and Resolution Pharmaceuticals Inc. to Collaborate on Diagnosis of
Alzheimer's Disease (Neuroimaging) and other Amyloid Disorders
Neurochem Inc. and Resolution Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today the signing of an
agreement to develop new radioimaging diagnostic agents targeted at amyloid deposits in
the body. The buildup of brain amyloid deposits is found in all individuals with
Alzheimer's disease symptoms. At the present time, Alzheimer's Disease can only be
conclusively diagnosed with the postmortem confirmation of the presence of amyloidotic
senile plaques. Because of its implication in the initiation and progression of
Alzheimer's Disease, amyloid represents a most effective target for the development of
early non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tests for Alzheimer's Disease. Similar
amyloid deposits are also found in other major diseases such as Type II diabetes,
arthritis and several rare conditions including cardiac amyloidosis.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the companies will work closely together to identify
and develop products resulting from the combination of the amyloid targeting molecules
of Neurochem with the radioimaging platform technology of Resolution and study the
in vivo and in vitro behaviour of these molecules. Subsequent development
of lead molecules will be carried out by both companies.
Dr. John Thornback, General Manager/CEO of Resolution said, "With the dramatic
increase in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and the development of new treatments,
a major problem has become a way to quantitatively measure the effect of the new drugs.
We believe that a radiopharmaceutical able to determine patient response to treatment
by monitoring amyloid plaque formation in the brain would play a critical role in the
adapted therapeutic management of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. We are very
excited about working with Neurochem on this innovative program. The addition of
Resolution's expertise in radiopharmaceutical development, especially neuroimaging, with
Neurochem's expertise in the amyloid area gives us the best possible scientific and
corporate combination for developing a product which has been high on the wish list for
clinicians and pharmaceutical companies for many years."
Dr. Louis R. Lamontagne, President & CEO of Neurochem emphasized: "Having a
radioimaging molecule that could rapidly localize and visualize amyloid lesions would
enable early detection of the onset of Alzheimer's Disease and allow for the initiation
of drug therapy early in the disease. Furthermore, developing a radiological technique
for assessing amyloid in patients before cognitive deficits take place could really
modify the time course and cost of therapy for this debilitating disease".
For editors:
Resolution Pharmaceuticals is a privately held company developing new diagnostic and
therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Resolution has advanced two products currently in
clinical trials. RP128 is in Phase II trials for the diagnosis of Crohn's disease,
osteomyelitis, and rheumatoid arthritis and RP527 is in Phase I/II trials for the
diagnosis and staging of patients with prostate, small cell lung and breast cancer.
In addition Resolution has preclinical programs in the areas of neuroimaging targeted
at the differential diagnosis of patients with symptoms of depression.
Established in 1993, Neurochem is an industry leader in the development of a novel,
proprietary series of compounds that inhibits the formation, deposition and cellular
toxic effects of amyloid fibrils as determined in in vitro and in vivo
assays. Neurochem's research team has been working with international amyloid experts
towards the development of therapeutic cures for these diseases. Neurochem has advanced
two drug candidates to clinical trials. Fibrillex™, for the treatment of Secondary
Amyloidosis disorders, has been granted Orphan Drug Designation status by the FDA and has
successfully completed Phase I clinical trials. It is now entering into a pivotal Phase
II/III clinical trial. The company's second drug candidate, Alzhemed™, for the
treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, is currently in Phase I clinical trials.
Contacts for Resolution Pharmaceuticals Inc:
Dr. John Thornback
General Manager/CEO
jthornbk@respharm.com
Warren Whitehead
Chief Financial Officer
warrenw@respharm.com
Tel: (905) 677-0831
Fax: (905) 677-9595
Contacts for Neurochem Inc:
Dr. Louis Lamontagne
President & CEO
Dr. Lise Hébert
Vice President, Corporate Communications
lhebert@neurochem.com
275 Armand-Frappier
Laval (Quebec)
H7V 4A7
Tel: (450) 680-4500
Fax: (450) 680-4501
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