Neuron to Publish Prana’s PBT2 preclinical research
- Significant cognitive benefits and reduction in Abeta demonstrates
disease modification benefits
- Full data to be presented at ICAD in Chicago on July 29, 2008
Melbourne, Australia – July 10, 2008 –Prana Biotechnology Ltd. (OTC: PRNAF, ASX: PBT) announced the publication of key
research findings with its lead Alzheimer’s Disease drug, PBT2. The article titled “Rapid restoration of cognition in
Alzheimer's transgenic mice with 8-hydroxyquinoline analogs" is associated with decreased interstitial Abeta” appears in
the current edition of the prestigious scientific journal Neuron, and can be viewed online.
The key findings reported are:
- PBT2 profoundly and rapidly improved cognition in transgenic mice.
- PBT2 prevented the formation of soluble Abeta oligomers, the form of Abeta believed to be the most toxic.
- PBT2 substantially reduced the amount of all forms of Abeta in the transgenic mouse brain, over a nine week period.
- PBT2, within hours of oral administration, significantly lowered soluble (interstitial) Abeta in the brain, sampled
using in vivo microdialysis.
- Using a well established model for memory formation, PBT2 protected neurons in living brain tissue from the toxic
effects of Abeta which impairs the signaling between neurons in Alzheimer’s disease.
"The Alzheimer's field is eagerly awaiting the results of several clinical trials of therapies aimed at the toxic
amyloid beta protein. Prana's PBT2 is uniquely positioned as an oral drug that neutralizes the toxicity of the amyloid
beta protein and clears it from the brain. The positive findings in Alzheimer’s mouse models along with the encouraging
results from the phase II clinical trial of PBT2 greatly strengthen my belief that this drug will ultimately be shown to
slow down disease progress in Alzheimer's patients," commented Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, Professor of Neurology at Harvard
University, and Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit at MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative
Diseases.
In their discussion, the authors explain that healthy brain function is dependent upon the tightly regulated movement of
metals within and between neurons. They speculate that with aging this restraint may be loosened, rendering the brain
vulnerable to oxidative stress and the pernicious effects of Abeta accumulation. In the article, multiple modes of
action for PBT2 are proposed based on the drug’s intrinsic ability to capture and transport metals in the brain. This
property explains how PBT2:
• inhibits the production of toxic free radicals and the formation of toxic “oligomeric” aggregates .
• promotes the solubilization and detoxification of Abeta aggregates and plaques
• transports metals into depleted neurons and thereby enhances the production of enzymes which break down Abeta,
reducing its concentration in the brain.
The beneficial effects upon cognition are thus a net effect of the disaggregation of plaques, the detoxification of
Abeta and enhanced removal of Abeta from the brain.
Associate Professor Robert Cherny, PhD, of the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria (Australia), Head of
Research of Prana Biotechnology Limited and a co-author on the paper, said “using in vivo microdialysis, we can monitor
the effects of a drug on brain Abeta in real time in the conscious, freely-moving transgenic mouse. We can literally see
the drug altering brain chemistry. The publication emphasises that the dramatic improvements in memory in mice seen with
PBT2 are associated with reduction in this soluble (interstitial) Abeta.”
Geoffrey Kempler, Chairman and CEO of Prana, noted that: “we are pleased that the research has been reported in Neuron,
a highly regarded peer reviewed journal. Given this, together with the data from our recently completed Phase IIa trial
(in press), we are very confident that our drug has the potential to be marketed as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Prana’s approach is different to others because PBT2 targets toxic metal interactions in the brain.”
The data will be presented at the 11th International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD) in Chicago on July 29,
2008 by Associate Professor Robert Cherny describing key preclinical findings of PBT2 in a lecture entitled, “The
8-hydroxyquinoline analog PBT2 rapidly restores cognition and reduces soluble Abeta in Alzheimer’s transgenic mice”.
For access to the full journal article visit the company website at www.pranabio.com
About Prana Biotechnology Limited
Prana Biotechnology was established to commercialize research into Alzheimer's disease and other major age-related
neuro-degenerative disorders. The company was incorporated in 1997 and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in March
2000 and listed on NASDAQ in September 2002. Researchers at prominent international institutions including the
University of Melbourne, The Mental Health Research Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital, a teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School, discovered Prana’s technology.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933
and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company has tried to identify such forward-looking
statements by use of such words as "expects," "intends," "hopes,""anticipates," "believes," "could,""may," "evidences"
and "estimates," and other similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such
statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to any statements relating to the Company's drug development
program, including, but not limited to the initiation, progress and outcomes of clinical trials of the Company's drug
development program, including, but not limited to, PBT2, and any other statements that are not historical facts. Such
statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties relating to the
difficulties or delays in financing, development, testing, regulatory approval, production and marketing of the
Company’s drug components, including, but not limited to, PBT2, the ability of the Company to procure additional future
sources of financing, unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of the Company's drug
compounds, including, but not limited to, PBT2, that could slow or prevent products coming to market, the uncertainty of
patent protection for the Company's intellectual property or trade secrets, including, but not limited to, the
intellectual property relating to PBT2, and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings the Company makes with
Securities and Exchange Commission including its annual reports on From 20-F and its reports on Form 6-K. Such
statements are based on management’s current expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to various
factions including those risks and uncertainties mentioned or referred to in this press release. Accordingly, you should
not rely on those forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual future results.
ENDS