6. Alzheimer's disease. Introduction. "Copper and Zinc are normally present at high concentrations in the regions of the brain that are most affected by Alzheimer’s Disease damage".
These interacted with a protein "beta-amyloid" causing toxidity. PBT-1, a copper/zinc-binding drug, given orally to transgenic mice markedly reduced their Alzheimer brain pathology within nine weeks. Beta-amyloid accumulation decreased by 50 percent during that period: http://www.pranabio.com/research/
A Phase II trial commenced in August 2000; the clinical trial has completed patient treatments (22/1/202) and results are currently being analysed: http://www.pranabio.com/research/clinical_trials.asp
6.1 New Alzheimer's Drug Enters Development Track: http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PBT&E=ASX&N=206957
TEXT: Phase I Clinical Trials scheduled for 2004:
Melbourne, 5 August 2003. Neuro degenerative disease specialist Prana Biotechnology Ltd (ASX:PBT, NASDAQ:PRAN) has selected a new lead molecule for formal drug development that shows the best potential yet to effectively treat Alzheimer's Disease.
Prana's scientists will develop the new proprietary compound called PBT-2. It is now a core business task and is based on the science established by the University of Melbourne and the Harvard Medical School at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Prana Biotechnology completed the extension phase of its Phase II clinical trial on Clioquinol (PBT-1) earlier this year.
PBT-1 is the initial drug compound which has established proof of concept of Prana's approach and advanced to successful Phase II clinical trials. Prana’s proof of concept outlines the role of metal protein attenuating compounds in targeting the interaction between beta amyloid and oxidised metals in the brains of Alzheimer’s Disease patients.
"This step shows that Prana is bolstering its strong position to be the company behind an effective treatment for the highly debilitating Alzheimer's Disease,” said Dr Ross Murdoch, Prana’s Chief Operating Officer. "This is a major milestone and is the result of an impressive in house medicinal chemistry team effort."
“We have designed compounds that are superior to PBT-1. PBT-2 is a small molecular weight chemical entity that demonstrates a significant improvement on PBT-1. PBT-2 has characteristics appropriate for oral bioavailability and blood brain barrier permeability. PBT-2 exceeds PBT-1 in both pre-clinical in-vitro and in vivo-testing.
The formal toxicology program will be initiated this year and the new drug is expected to enter into Phase I human clinical trials next year.
Addressing investors in New York, Prana’s Executive Chairman Geoffrey Kempler said: "This is enormously encouraging for us as we have developed a whole library of proprietary metal protein attenuating compound designer molecules. These have applicability not only to Alzheimer's Disease but other neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's Disease".
Alzheimer's Disease affects about 12 per cent of 65 year olds and about 50 per cent of 85 year olds. Existing Alzheimer's treatments provide only short term relief from the onset of symptoms".
6.2 Date: 19/3/2003: Commercial Agreement with Schering AG: http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PBT&E=ASX&N=202343
6.4 Presentations: Date 13/11/2000: Scientist`s discovery of potential treatment for Alzheimers: http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PBT&E=ASX&N=169946
Date: 3/5/2002: Metal Theory of Alzheimers Dis validated by publ research: http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PBT&E=ASX&N=189917
Date 3/12/02: Dr Ashley Bush: Presentation of Metal theory: http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PBT&E=ASX&N=198724
6.5 Published papers: http://www.pranabio.com/research/major_published_papers.asp
Date: 28/3/2003: NEURON publishes paper validating Pranas theories: http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PBT&E=ASX&N=202646
Extract: "The article postulates that the presence of excess iron in the brain is associated with, and may aggravate, oxidative stress. “Reduction in reactive iron by either genetic or pharmacological means,” [through the use of clioquinol, an example of a Prana MPAC class molecule], “was found to be well tolerated in animals … and to result in protection against the toxin, suggesting that iron chelation may be an effective therapy for prevention and treatment of (Parkinson’s) disease.”
Acouch, thanks for your chart and reading.
Gerry Please do your own research and you decide if and when to buy, hold or sell.
PBT Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
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