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IIBR
has launched a major R&D program focused on the design,
development and testing of novel drug compounds for the
treatment of central nervous system disorders such as
Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The program is based on
manipulation of specific neurotransmitter systems believed
to be involved in a range of neuropsychiatric diseases. |
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Achievements |
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The discovery of novel CNS
drugs protected by worldwide patents
Generation and evaluation of
AF102B, an M1 selective muscarinic agonist, developed
in cooperation with a major Japanese company. AF102B
was approved by the FDA (Jan. 2001) and in Japan (June
2001) for treatment of dry mouth in Sjogren's Syndrome
and is now marketed in the USA and Japan under the name
Cevimeline (EVOXAC™) by Daiichi Pharmaceuticals |
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Significantly,
treatment of AD patients with AF102B resulted in a considerable
decrease of beta-amyloids in the cerebrospinal fluid.
This seminal finding indicates that AF102B may reduce
the beta-amyloids burden in brains of AD patients. With
the exception of M1 agonists such as AF102B, no other
compounds were reported to have such a unique and highly
promising property in AD. |
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The
design and production of unique proprietary structures
with potential therapeutic activity is an outcome of an
extensive effort in rational drug design and pharmacological
screening. A number of lead compounds that appeared to
have the clinical potential to be effective in treating
both acute and chronic neuro-degenerative diseases were
identified and comprehensively evaluated e.g. AF150(S),
AF267B and others. These compounds can be useful both
in treatment and as disease modifying-agents in AD and
other related diseases. Significantly, these compounds
can beneficially affect major hallmarks involved in AD
pathology (cognitive dysfunction, amyloids, tangles and
cell death).
Drugs that address cholinergic dysfunction are believed
to provide potential benefit not only for those suffering
from AD; they are also considered useful in treatment
of additional disease states such as Lewy Body Dementia,
minimal cognitive impairments, schizophrenia, mania, stroke,
head injury, post-operative delirium, etc. |
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