22/07/2004
In-vitro studies* have recently shown that Colostrinin™ (a potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease being developed by ReGen Therapeutics Plc) can prevent the aggregation of beta-amyloid and prevent its toxic effect on cells. The findings of these studies have now been presented as a poster** at the 9th International Conference on Research on Alzheimer’s disease and Related Disorders (ICAD), taking place this week in Philadelphia, USA.
Commenting on the findings, Professor Brian Austen of the Neurodegeneration Unit, Surgery Department, St. George’s Hospital Medical School, Tooting UK, the study’s principal investigator said: “These studies have shown that Colostrinin™ can inhibit the aggregation of beta-amyloid in a concentration-dependent manner. As the build up and toxicity of beta-amyloid in the brain is a key feature in Alzheimer’s disease, these findings indicate that Colostrinin™ could possibly play a role in the prevention of Alzheimer’s pathogenesis”.
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Marshall
Marshall Robinson Roe
020 7960 6007
A complete copy of the poster will be added to the ReGen website (www.regentherapeutics.com) in due course.
* This research has been conducted as part of ReGen’s ongoing collaboration with the Neurodegeneration Unit, Surgery Department, St. George’s Hospital Medical School, Tooting UK, and has been performed by Professor Brian Austen.
** The complete abstract (P4-414) can be found at: http://www.alz.org
NOTES TO EDITORS
Background
ReGen’s principal activity is the development of a potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease and also the development of neutraceutical uses for Colostrinin™.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative and ultimately fatal disease that slowly destroys the brain. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include progressive impairment of cognitive function including memory loss, inability to think abstractly, loss of language function, attention deficit and associated depression, anxiety and agitation. Eventually Alzheimer’s disease sufferers lose the ability to take care of themselves and must be looked after either by family or in residential care homes and hospitals. Ultimately, sufferers become less resistant to infections and other illnesses, which often become the actual cause of death.
In a 30 week clinical study it was shown that:
• Approximately 40% of patients on Colostrinin™ were stabilised or improved after 15 weeks of therapy, based on an Analysis of Overall Response
• 33% of patients continued to show stabilisation or improvement after 30 weeks of treatment, although levels of benefit were slightly higher at the 15-week stage of the trial
• Efficacy demonstrated in both mild and moderate symptom groups, with greatest effects seen in earlier stages of the disease
• No drug-related Serious Adverse Events or safety concerns were observed during the trial
The Company is now continuing its Colostrinin™ development programme, in preparation for the next stage of clinical testing. The programme will now also include an investigation into whether the beneficial effects of the product can be further enhanced by varying the dosing regimen.
Property of Colostrinin (322KB PPT)