27/06/2005
ReGen’s Colostrinin(TM)reduces aggregation and toxicity of Alzheimer’s disease peptide (beta-amyloid) and protects nerve cells in-vitro
ReGen Therapeutics Plc (‘ReGen’ or ‘the Company’) announces the on-line publication by the prestigious peer-reviewed journal ‘Neuropeptides’ of a study showing that Colostrinin(TM) can prevent the aggregation of beta amyloid* – a toxic protein that builds up in the brains of Alzheimer’s sufferers. A copy of the publication can be viewed online at:
http://www.intl.elsevierhealth.com/journals/npep/
ReGen is developing Colostrinin(TM)as a nutraceutical product for the ‘maintenance of healthy mental function’ whilst at the same time exploring the utility of its constituent peptides or small molecular weight substances based on their activity as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s.
Commenting on the findings, Dr. Marian Kruzel, the Company’s Chief Scientific Consultant** and a co-author of the publication, said ‘The publication of this study in a peer reviewed journal is an important scientific milestone for Colostrinin(TM)as it confirms our preliminary findings, announced last year at the Alzheimer’s Europe 14th Conference, that Colostrinin(TM) even at very low concentrations can protect nerve cells from the toxic effect of beta amyloid fibrils. There is consensus in the scientific community that the production and accumulation of beta amyloid aggregates is central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. We believe that this data provides the molecular basis for explaining the beneficial effect of Colostrinin(TM)in patients with mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease, which was reported by ReGen last year’. Dr Kruzel further explained that ‘ results presented in the paper suggest both prophylactic and therapeutic use of Colostrinin(TM)We are now doing further research to clarify the biochemical basis of this action’.
Chairman Percy Lomax added ‘It is pleasing to see yet another peer reviewed publication on Colostrinin(TM) We believe this will significantly strengthen the Company’s position in its ongoing discussions with potential development partners in Japan and North America.’
* This research has been conducted as part of ReGen’s ongoing collaboration with the world-renowned Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA and has been performed by Drs Thamarapu Srikrishnan and Thomas Nicotera. Preliminary data was presented as a poster at the 14th Alzheimer Europe Conference in Prague, Czech Republic in May 2004.
** Professor Marian Kruzel is a faculty member of the Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, the University of Texas, Medical School at Houston. Through a consultancy agreement with the Company Prof. Kruzel advises the Board on scientific research and development and manages the implementation of ReGen’s scientific collaborations in the USA.
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Marshall
Marshall Robinson Roe
Tel No 020 7960 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 nutraceutical uses for Colostrinin(TM)
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 (TM)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