AVICENA FILES COMPOSITION OF MATTER PATENT APPLICATION.

Avicena Group, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: AVGOE), Palo Alto, Calif., a late stage biotechnology company focused on commercializing its proprietary cellular energy modulation technology, has filed a composition of matter patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to cover potential treatments for Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease.

This composition of matter patent broadly covers pharmaceutical formulations based on creatine derivatives alone or in combination with an anti-inflammatory compound for the treatment of Parkinson's. The company believes that this patent will further strengthen its intellectual property portfolio in Parkinson's, building upon existing use patents previously issued to Avicena with claims in neurology (US Patents 6,196,115 B1 and 6,706,764 B2). Specifically, this patent will provide additional IP protection for its current Parkinson's disease drug candidate, PD-02, and future generation drug candidates formulated to treat Parkinson's.

"This patent application is indicative of our efforts to create shareholder value by building our IP estate to provide additional protection for our cellular energy franchise and our Parkinson's disease drug candidates", stated Belinda Tsao-Nivaggioli, Ph.D., CEO of Avicena. "As previously announced, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiated a Phase III trial evaluating our PD-02 compound to verify its ability to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. As we enter later stage clinical trials and approach potential marketing approvals and commercialization, the strength of our IP becomes increasingly important."

About PD-02

PD-02 is a patented, proprietary therapeutic that has demonstrated the potential to improve neurological function. In clinical studies, PD-02 demonstrated significant improvements in UPDRS (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale). Preclinical studies of PD-02 have showed significant neuroprotective properties including protection of the dopaminergic cells that are affected in Parkinson's disease.

About Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative brain disorder that occurs when the neurons within the brain that are responsible for producing the chemical dopamine die. Primary symptoms of the disease include involuntary shaking of the arms or legs (tremors), difficulty with balance, slowness of movement, and stiffness.

According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, roughly 1.5 million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease, making it the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. There presently is no known cure for Parkinson's disease.

About Avicena

Avicena Group, Inc. is a late stage biotechnology company focused on developing products based on its proprietary understanding of the regulation of cellular energy processes. The company's core technologies, supported by a robust IP portfolio, have broad applications in both pharmaceuticals and dermaceuticals. Avicena's pharmaceutical program centers on rare neurological disorders (orphan diseases). The company is currently analyzing data from its Phase IIb/III trial in ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease). Near term, Avicena intends to initiate a Phase III trial in Huntington's disease to accompany the ongoing Phase III trial in Parkinson's disease of its lead drug candidate, PD-02, and funded and managed by NIH/NINDS. Avicena's science is well established and its products are safe and well tolerated. Unlike traditional biotechnology companies, Avicena's clinical programs are largely funded by government and non-profit organizations. Avicena presently derives revenue from the sale of proprietary ingredients to skin care manufacturers.

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