phylogica says compounds protect brain cells

Phylogica says compounds protect brain cells
09:13, Thursday, 2 June 2005

Sydney - Thursday - June 2: (RWE Australian Business News) -
Australian biotechnology company Phylogica (PYC) claims it has
discovered proprietary compounds that protect brain cells under
conditions that simulate stroke.

"Compared to the current gold standard for preventing damage to
nerve cells under these conditions, three of Phylogica's compounds
were between two- and five-fold more effective," Dr Paul Watt,
Phylogica's Scientific Director, said.

Stroke is caused when the blood supply to the brain is
interrupted, usually due to a blood clot, but sometimes due to
haemorrhage, depriving the surrounding tissue of oxygen.

As a result, brain cells die, causing debilitation and
functional impairment.

While the rate of stroke is on the increase as the population
ages, there is currently no effective therapy for prevention of
stroke-related brain damage.

The market for stroke is predicted to reach US$5.4 billion by
2006.

In a stroke model using isolated brain cells, Phylogica found a
number of its proprietary "phylomers" were consistently able to
rescue the cells from death.

Should this approach work as successfully in animal and human
trials, it would enable Phylogica to develop an emergency therapeutic
product that could be used to limit or prevent the brain damage that
would normally occur after a stroke is suffered by a patient.

ENDS

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PYC up 20% so far today.