Vasogen's (VSGN) VP025 Provides A Neuroprotective Effect In Preclinical
Model Of Parkinson's Disease
http://www.biospace.com/news_story.cfm?StoryID=17857920&full=1

TORONTO, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vasogen Inc. (NASDAQ:VSGN;
TSX:VAS), a researcher and developer of immune modulation therapies
targeting chronic inflammation, today announced the presentation of
preclinical research demonstrating the ability of VP025 to provide a
significant neuroprotective effect in a model of Parkinson's disease. The
research, carried out by the Department of Anatomy/Neuroscience,
Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Ireland, was presented at
Neuroscience 2004, the Society for Neuroscience's 34th Annual Meeting in
San Diego.

"The ability of VP025 to offer a protective effect in the brain and
reduce neuron death in this preclinical model suggests that this drug may
have potential in the treatment of Parkinson's disease," said Dr. Aideen
Sullivan, principal investigator for this study at University College
Cork. "It is also encouraging to note that these data are consistent with
other research being presented at this conference this week, which
highlight the positive anti-inflammatory effects of VP025 in other
preclinical models."

Evidence is accumulating that inflammation plays an important role in the
pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Microglial cells (immune cells
resident in the brain) are activated in Parkinson's disease, producing
pro-inflammatory factors that result in the death of nerve cells in
various areas of the brain. The preclinical research presented today was
based on a well-established model of Parkinson's disease that involves
introduction of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), which mimics the pathology of
this condition. Both Parkinson's disease and 6-OHDA administration are
associated with inflammatory processes that lead to the death of certain
nerve cells, the dopaminergic neurons, and it is the loss of these
neurons that results in the movement abnormalities seen in this model.

Pretreatment with VP025 significantly (p less than 0.001) reduced
movement abnormalities seven days after 6-OHDA was administered to
initiate nerve damage, and this protective effect continued until the end
of the three-week study. VP025 also significantly attenuated both the
reduction in dopamine (p less than 0.05) and the loss of dopaminergic
neurons (p less than 0.05), factors that mediate behavioural changes in
this model, as well as in Parkinson's disease. These results suggest that
VP025 confers a neuro-protective effect in the brain, inhibiting the
death of dopaminergic nerve cells, and that this protection may occur by
preventing aberrant activation of immunoregulatory cells in the brain.

Parkinson's disease, a chronic and progressive neurological condition,
affects up to 1.5 million Americans. While its cause is unknown, the
symptoms of Parkinson's disease are primarily the result of degeneration
of areas of the brain that control and modulate movement. Symptoms
include tremors, slowness of movement, stiffness and rigidity of limbs,
and gait or balance problems. As the disease progresses, these symptoms
usually increase and impact a person's ability to work and function.

VP025, the lead product candidate from a new class of structurally
related drugs, is being developed for the treatment of chronic
neuro-inflammatory disorders. VP025 is designed to interact with immune
cells leading to the modulation of cytokines - potent chemical messengers
that regulate and control inflammation. Neurological conditions that are
associated with an inflammatory response in the central nervous system
include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).
These indications are characterized by increased levels of inflammatory
mediators, including cytokines, leading to the death of nerve cells and
the eventual loss of functional activity. Due to the prevalence,
morbidity and mortality associated with neuro-inflammatory diseases, they
represent a significant medical, social, and financial burden.

About the Society for Neuroscience:

The Society for Neuroscience is the world's largest organization of
scientists devoted to the study of the brain. The 36,000 members of the
Society include basic researchers studying the many neuroscience
disciplines, and clinicians specializing in neurology, neurosurgery,
psychiatry, ophthalmology, and related fields. Neuroscience includes the
study of brain development, sensation, perception, learning, memory,
movement, sleep, stress, aging, neurological and psychiatric disorders,
and the molecules, cells, and genes responsible for nervous system
functioning.

About Vasogen:

Vasogen is a leader in the research and commercial development of immune
modulation therapies targeting the chronic inflammation underlying
cardiovascular disorders. Vasogen's lead product, Celacade(TM) (immune
modulation therapy) is currently in pivotal phase III clinical trials for
the treatment of chronic heart failure and peripheral arterial disease.
The Company's 2,000-patient ACCLAIM trial, being conducted at cardiac
centers throughout North America and Europe, is investigating the impact
of Celacade(TM) on reducing the risk of mortality and morbidity in
advanced chronic heart failure patients. Vasogen's 500-patient SIMPADICO
trial, being conducted at medical centers throughout North America, is
designed to further investigate the impact of Celacade(TM) on reducing
the debilitating symptoms associated with peripheral arterial disease.
Celacade(TM) is designed to target chronic inflammation by activating the
immune system's physiological anti-inflammatory response to apoptotic
cells. Vasogen is also developing a new class of drugs, designed to
interact with immune cells leading to the modulation of cytokines -
potent chemical messengers that regulate and control inflammation. VP025,
the lead candidate from this new class of drugs, is in preclinical
development for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including
Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially
from the statements made. For this purpose, any statements that are
contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed
to be forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates,"
"plans," "intends," "will," "should," "expects," "projects," and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You are
cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results, future circumstances, or
events to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those associated
with the success of research and development programs, the regulatory
approval process, competition, securing and maintaining corporate
alliances, market acceptance of the Company's products, the availability
of government and insurance reimbursements for the Company's products,
the strength of intellectual property, financing capability, the
potential dilutive effects of any financing, reliance on subcontractors
and key personnel and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the
Company's public disclosure documents or other filings with the Canadian
and U.S. securities commissions or other securities regulatory bodies.
The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the
Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility,
except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise.

Vasogen Inc.
CONTACT: Glenn Neumann, Investor Relations, 2155 Dunwin
Drive,Mississauga, ON, Canada L5L 4M1, tel: (905) 569-9065, fax: (905)
569-9231,[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]

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