Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: AVXL) has announced the acceptance of a peer-reviewed manuscript featuring data from the Phase IIb/III trial of oral blarcamesine for the treatment of early Alzheimer's disease. The study, titled "Blarcamesine for the treatment of Early Alzheimer's Disease: Results from the ANAVEX2-73-AD-004 Phase IIB/III trial," is slated for publication in a medical journal focused on Alzheimer's disease, with an expected release date around Q4 2024 or Q1 2025.
Juan Carlos Lopez-Talavera, MD, PhD, Head of Research and Development of Anavex, stated that the publication marks a significant milestone for the company and underscores the importance of the findings for both the scientific and Alzheimer's disease communities. He also noted that the company is on track to submit oral blarcamesine for regulatory approval in Europe (EMA) during the current quarter of 2024.
Blarcamesine's Potential Impact
Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex, expressed his honor in sharing the peer-reviewed manuscript in an international journal. He emphasized the devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease, affecting tens of millions globally, and conveyed his hope that the forthcoming publication would educate the medical and scientific community about the potential of oral blarcamesine for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's Disease: A Growing Concern
According to the European Brain Council, approximately 7 million individuals in Europe are affected by Alzheimer's disease, and this number is projected to double by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the cost of caring for people with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, in Europe at $439 billion in 2019, which translates to $31,144 per person. This figure encompasses hospital care, medications, diagnostics, informal caregiver time, community services, and long-term care facility costs.
About Anavex Life Sciences
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: AVXL) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, Rett syndrome, and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The company's lead drug candidate, ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine), has completed Phase 2a and Phase 2b/3 clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease, a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in Parkinson's disease dementia, and Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies in adult patients and a Phase 2/3 study in pediatric patients with Rett syndrome. Blarcamesine is designed to restore cellular homeostasis by targeting SIGMAR1 and muscarinic receptors. Preclinical studies suggest it may halt or reverse the progression of Alzheimer's disease. ANAVEX3-71, another drug candidate, targets SIGMAR1 and M1 muscarinic receptors and has shown disease-modifying activity in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease.
