06/09/2004
In-vivo study in chicks shows ReGen’s Colostrinin™ reduces memory impairment induced by toxic protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease
An in-vivo study* showing that pre-treatment with Colostrinin™ (ReGen Therapeutics Plc) can reduce the memory impairment caused by beta-amyloid in newly hatched chicks has now been published electronically as an abstract for presentation as a poster at the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) 34th Annual Meeting, scheduled to take place in San Diego, USA from the 23rd to 27th of October 2004.
Commenting on the findings Professor Stewart, Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at the Open University, the study’s principal investigator said:
‘We have previously reported that intra-cranial and intra-peritoneal administration of Colostrinin™ to young chicks can enhance memory formation when compared with control saline injections**.
New results in the same model now suggest that pre-treatment with Colostrinin™ can reduce the memory impairment induced by administration of the toxic protein beta-amyloid when compared to saline control.
As the build up of beta-amyloid in brain tissue is generally believed to play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, these additional results may offer a further explanation of the clinical benefits seen with Colostrinin™ in clinical studies’.
Percy Lomax Executive Chairman commented: ‘This is a significant step in demonstrating why we believe Colostrinin™ to be a potential major advance in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and we look forward to further developments from our collaboration with the Open University.’
*The complete abstract can be found at:
http://sfn.scholarone.com
** A press release on this was issued on 16/6/04 and is available on the ReGen website (http://www.regentherapeutics.com).
This research has been conducted as part of ReGen’s ongoing collaboration with the Department of Biological Sciences, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK and has been performed by Professor Michael Stewart and Dr. Duncan Banks.
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Marshall
Marshall Robinson Roe
0207 960 6007
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