 |
 |
Lucky Mice! ------------------- NeoTherapeutics' Neotrofin(TM) Stimulates Proliferation Of Neural Stem Cells in Adult Mice Data on proliferation of neural stem cells after a single dose of Neotrofin presented at 31st Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoTherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: <A HREF="aol://4785:NEOT">NEOT</A>) presented data at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego showing the effects of Neotrofin(TM), the Company's lead neurology compound, on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. Data on proliferation confirmed previously reported preliminary studies and demonstrated that Neotrofin causes an increase in the number of neural stem cells in adult mice 24 hours after a single treatment. The Company also presented data from two studies on the fate of these new stem cells. One of these studies demonstrated a statistically significant increase in new neurons. "A single dose of Neotrofin reproducibly results in a statistically significant increase in the number of stem cells in the brains of adult mice," said Eve Taylor, Ph.D., Director of Biomolecular Pharmacology at NeoTherapeutics. "This effect has now been observed in three separate studies using state-of-the-art quantitative digital microscopy techniques. "We have now completed the analysis of two studies on differentiation of these new neural stem cells," added Dr. Taylor. "In the first study, we observed statistically significant increases in the number of new neurons six weeks after a single treatment with Neotrofin. Data from the second study did not show this effect. Overall, we are extremely encouraged by this data. Our top priority is to conduct additional studies to clarify the effects of Neotrofin on the fate of these new stem cells." "This presentation highlights critical data supporting one of Neotrofin's mechanisms of action, and builds on the study presented earlier this week showing that Neotrofin causes the release of neurotrophic factors," stated Alvin J. Glasky, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of NeoTherapeutics. "These neurotrophic factors have been shown by independent scientists to influence neural stem cells. We look forward to reporting the results of additional stem cell studies that are currently being analyzed." Neotrofin is an orally available drug that has been safely administered to over 1,300 patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury. Studies have shown that Neotrofin crosses the blood-brain barrier and stimulates the production of neurotrophic factors and the enzyme heme oxygenase 1. Neurotrophic factors have been shown to facilitate nerve function, protect nerve cells from damage due to toxins, injury and stress, to stimulate sprouting of neurons in response to injury and to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of brain stem cells. Heme oxygenase 1 has been shown to protect against oxidative stress, a key factor in neurodegeneration. Neotrofin is presently being tested in a pivotal clinical study of 521 patients with Alzheimer's disease, and in phase 2 studies in Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury. Phase 2 clinical studies in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy are scheduled to begin before the end of this year. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn