Preclinical Data Relevant for Multiple Sclerosis and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Anavex or the Company) (Nasdaq:AVXL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types of cancer, today announces the presentation of data from a preclinical study of ANAVEX 2-73 for potential use in multiple sclerosis. The poster will be presented by the study’s lead investigator, Robert Lisak, M.D., Professor of Neurology at Wayne State University School of Medicine (Detroit, Michigan) at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2016.

Poster Details

Title:

“Sigma-1 Receptor Agonists Inhibit Oligodendrocyte Cytotoxicity Induced by Molecules Involved in Cell Damage in Multiple Sclerosis”

Date/Time:

February 19, 2016

12:30 p.m. Central Time

Location:

Hyatt Regency New Orleans, Storyville Hall

601 Loyola Avenue

New Orleans, Louisiana 70113

The poster was authored by Dr. Lisak and his Wayne State University School of Medicine colleagues, Liljana Nedelkoska and Joyce A. Benjamins, Ph.D.  The poster is available in the publications section of the Anavex website.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes damage to nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve.  This can disrupt communication between the CNS and other parts of the body, resulting in a wide range of physical and cognitive symptoms such as muscle weakness, visual loss, poor balance, chronic pain, tremors, short-term memory loss and other difficulties associated with dementia.

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq:AVXL) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types of cancer.  Anavex’s lead drug candidates, ANAVEX 2-73 and ANAVEX PLUS, the combination of ANAVEX 2-73 and donepezil (Aricept®), are currently in a Phase 2a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease. The drug combination ANAVEX PLUS produced up to 80% greater reversal of memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease models versus when the drugs were used individually. ANAVEX 2-73 is an orally available drug candidate that targets sigma-1 and muscarinic receptors and successfully completed Phase 1 with a clean safety profile. Preclinical studies demonstrated its potential to halt and/or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease.  It has also exhibited anticonvulsant, anti-amnesic, neuroprotective and anti-depressant properties in convulsive epileptic animal models, indicating its potential to treat additional CNS disorders, including epilepsy and others. The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson’s Research has awarded Anavex a research grant to develop ANAVEX 2-73 for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease to fully fund a preclinical study, which could justify moving ANAVEX 2-73 into a Parkinson’s disease clinical trial.  ANAVEX 3-71, also targeting sigma-1 and M1 muscarinic receptors, is a promising preclinical drug candidate demonstrating disease modifications against the major Alzheimer’s hallmarks in transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice, including cognitive deficits, amyloid and tau pathologies, and also with beneficial effects on neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunctions. Further information is available at www.anavex.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

For Further Information:

Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Research & Business Development
Toll-free: 1-844-689-3939
Email: info@anavex.com

Investors:
Jenene Thomas
Jenene Thomas Communications, LLC
908- 938-1475
Email: JTC@jenenethomascommunications.com

Media:
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JQA Partners, Inc.
917-885-7378
Email: jabraham@jqapartners.com

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