IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoTherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:
<A HREF="aol://4785:NEOT">NEOT</A>, NEOTW) announced today that the Company
has been issued a new U.S. patent on gene regulation technology involved in
treating neurodegenerative diseases.
U.S. Patent No. 5,801,184 describes how purine derivatives, a class of drug
compounds which includes NeoTherapeutics' lead compound NEOTROFIN(TM)
(AIT-082, leteprinim potassium), can be used to selectively control "turning
on or off of genes" for the protein molecules involved in nerve regeneration.
This patent represents a significant step forward in the treatment of
neurodegenerative diseases utilizing a convenient oral medication to replace
or augment the presence of neurotrophic factors in the brain and spinal cord.
"This patent represents an important milestone in the ongoing development of
our proprietary technology platform," commented Dr. Alvin Glasky, President,
CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of NeoTherapeutics and inventor of the
patent. "AIT-082 has remarkable actions. It regulates the genetic expression
of several neurotrophic factors in various areas of the brain and spinal cord.
In each area, the factors it induces are those naturally needed by the nerve
cells in that region. AIT-082 is the first drug in human clinical trials
which acts by regulating the production of the naturally-occurring
neurotrophic growth factors," he added. Dr. Glasky further explained that the
patent deals with processes already being applied in clinical trials in
humans. "I am delighted with the rate of progress of this technology from the
laboratory to the human clinical setting. It is particularly rewarding that
the advanced technology described in this patent is already being utilized in
patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease in a phase 2 clinical safety and
efficacy trial."
Neurotrophic factors are essential for the growth, maturation and survival of
nerve cells. When present in appropriate concentrations, these factors also
protect nerve cells against damage in stroke, trauma, and many
neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
These factors are not produced by the nervous system in sufficient quantities
to be fully effective in those conditions, and, because neurotrophic factors
are proteins, they cannot be orally administered. These problems are
circumvented by NeoTherapeutics' new patent, which describes a novel method
for treating neurological disorders, particularly neurodegenerative diseases.
NeoTherapeutics has developed an orally-active purine derivative,
NEOTROFIN(TM) (AIT-082), which controls the genetic expression of neurotrophic
factors in the nervous system to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Data on the actions of NEOTROFIN(TM) (AIT-082), both in the laboratory and in
clinical trials, will be presented at the 1998 meeting of the Society for
Neuroscience in Los Angeles on November 10 and 11, 1998.
Previously, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted
NeoTherapeutics two patents which are part of the Company's technology
platform. The Company has an additional six patent applications pending in
the U.S. and over 50 issued or pending worldwide patent applications to
further expand its technology base.
NeoTherapeutics' research program is focused on designing and developing small
molecules capable of promoting nerve regeneration and repair for a range of
neurological diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
diseases, stroke and spinal cord injury. Additional compounds in
NeoTherapeutics' product pipeline address other health issues such as migraine
and depression. For additional Company information, visit the NeoTherapeutics
web site at http://www.neotherapeutics.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events
and the future performance of NeoTherapeutics that involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These
risks include, but are not limited to, the early stage of product development,
the need for additional funding, the initiation and completion of clinical
trials and dependence on third parties for clinical testing, manufacturing and
marketing. These risks are described in further detail in the Company's
reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE NeoTherapeutics, Inc.
CO: NeoTherapeutics, Inc.
ST: California
IN: MTC
SU: PDT
10/08/98 12:56 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com