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Neurosciences
AL-108 and related Lead Compounds Protect Neurons from Beta Amyloid Toxicity,datas show
By Akanksha,Pharmacology Correspondent
Jan 31, 2005, 21:14

Allon Therapeutics Inc.,The Neuro Protection Company,has presented preclinical data to two American neurology groups showing that its proprietary lead compound,AL-108 has properties that protect brain cells from degenerative diseases.

Dr.Illana Gozes,Chief Scientific Officer of Allon,said extensive preclinical studies over several years have demonstrated that AL-108 and related compounds have neuroprotective, memory enhancing and neurotrophic
properties that make them promising medical therapies.

"We believe we have demonstrated in preclinical studies that AL-108 has the potential to be an important new treatment for Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative diseases," Dr. Gozes said.

At Georgetown University's department of neurology, Georgetown, Maryland,Dr. Gozes' presentation Friday, January 28th was entitled "NAP (AL-108):A Novel Drug Candidate for Alzheimer's Disease".

Dr. Gozes presented data that provide insights into a proposed mechanism of action of AL-108 against two primary pathologies of Alzheimer's disease-beta amyloid toxicity & microtubule breakdown that is associated with tau-hyperphosphorylation.These pathologies,commonly referred in the Alzheimer's community as plaques and tangles,involve plaque accumulation outside brain cells and neurofibrillary tangles inside brain cells.

No drug on the market today has any impact on these plaques and tangles.Allon has shown in preclinical studies that AL-108 removes plaques and promotes the repair of neurofibrillary tangles.

AL-108 also protects healthy neurons from the formation of plaques and tangles.

Dr. Gozes gave two lectures Sunday,January 30th and today to the 26th Winter Neuropeptides Conference in Breckenridge,Colorado.

The first lecture focused on the development of AL-108 as a novel drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

The second lecture focused on the parent protein of AL-108, known as activity dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP). ADNP is protein secreted by astrocytes and is essential protein for brain formation. Mouse embryos without ADNP do not survive during embryonic development.The gene that encodes ADNP is conserved in human, rat and mouse.Dr.Gozes will describe the isolation,function and characterization of ADNP.

Allon announced January 25, 2005 that it has commenced Phase I human clinical trials evaluating AL-108 as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.Allon is on schedule to file a second IND in Q2 2005 seeking approval to evaluate AL-208, the company's second product, in clinical trials as an intravenous treatment for post-cardiac artery bypass graft (CABG) mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Dr. Gozes, an internationally acclaimed neuroscientist, is one of two inventors of Allon's neuroprotection technology and directs Allon's ongoing research and development program. Dr. Gozes is a professor of clinical biochemistry at Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. Allon has exclusive worldwide rights to this technology platform via its license agreements with the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Tel Aviv University.
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Allon Therapeutics Inc.is a Canadian biotechnology company developing drugs that protect against neurodegenerative conditions such as stroke,traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's,multiple sclerosis and neuropathy.The company is listed on the Canadian TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "NPC" (Neuro Protection Company) and based in Vancouver.

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