Targacept Presents Promising Results at the 7th International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease
Winston-Salem, NC
March 29, 2005
Targacept, Inc., a central nervous system-focused biopharmaceutical company, announced today that it presented clinical and preclinical research results at the 7th International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease held recently in Sorrento, Italy.
The company’s three presentations were focused on ispronicline (TC-1734) and TC-1827, two of Targacept’s novel compounds designed using its proprietary in-silico drug discovery platform known as Pentad™. Ispronicline is in Phase II clinical development for conditions marked by cognitive impairment that afflict the elderly, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age associated memory impairment.
“The clinical and preclinical study results presented at the AD/PD conference, together with our subsequent work on ispronicline, represent compelling support for the cognitive enhancing and neuroprotective potential of this well-tolerated product candidate,” said J. Donald deBethizy, Targacept’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have now evaluated ispronicline in six clinical trials in a total of 200 subjects,” deBethizy added.
Geoffrey C. Dunbar, M.D., Targacept’s Vice President, Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs, presented the results of three Phase I clinical trials of ispronicline. In one of these trials, acceleration in brainwaves was observed, suggesting that the compound had reached the brain. This effect, which is thought to be associated with enhanced attention, is typical of compounds that, like ispronicline, act as agonists at neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (NNRs). NNRs play a critical role in regulating nervous system functions such as attention, vigilance, memory and mood. Targacept scientists have established themselves as leaders in NNR research with over 20 years of focus in the area.
In the other trials presented by Dr. Dunbar, the cognitive performance of young adult and elderly volunteers was evaluated using a sophisticated computerized test battery. Positive effects on attention, learning and memory were observed, with the effects in the elderly volunteers continuing for up to 48 hours following a single dose.
Targacept scientists also presented a poster summarizing the company’s preclinical evaluation of ispronicline. In a variety of animal models of learning and memory, ispronicline was orally active and showed positive effects on cognitive performance. In addition, the compound worked synergistically with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, the class of drugs most often used in the treatment of AD, to enhance cognitive performance. Moreover, in in vitro studies of neuroprotection, ispronicline protected neuronal cells from apoptosis or cell death. Taken together, the findings highlight the potential of ispronicline for treating, and slowing the progression of, neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.
A second poster presented by Targacept scientists summarized the results of the company’s preclinical evaluation of TC-1827, with emphasis on the compound’s potential for treating cognitive dysfunctions associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is a debilitating neurodegenerative brain disorder for which there is currently no cure. It is estimated that AD affects approximately 4.5 million people in the United States.
About Targacept
Targacept is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the design, discovery and development of a new class of drugs to treat multiple diseases and disorders of the central nervous system by selectively targeting neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, or NNRs. NNRs are found on nerve cells throughout the nervous system and serve as key regulators of nervous system activity. Targacept’s product candidates are designed to selectively target specific NNR subtypes to promote therapeutic effects and limit or eliminate adverse side effects. Targacept has a marketed product, Inversine® (mecamylamine hydrochloride), product candidates in clinical development for cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease and age associated memory impairment, pain and depression, and multiple ongoing preclinical programs.
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Alan Musso, VP and CFO
Targacept, Inc.
Tel: (336) 480-2186
Email: alan.musso@targacept.com
Michelle Linn
Linnden Communications
Tel: (508) 869-0138
Email: michlinn@charter.net
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