Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.'s CT-3 Shows Promising Animal Results for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

Business & Health Editors

NEW YORK--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 11, 2001

Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.'s (OTC: ATLC.OB) proprietary lead compound CT-3 has shown anti-spastic activity in an animal model of multiple sclerosis at a dose level achievable in humans.

CT-3, also identified as Ajulemic Acid, is a non-psychoactive synthetic derivative of a metabolite of tertrahydrocannabinol (THC) shown to have potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The study was conducted by Professor Dr. David Baker of the Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK.

Spasticity is a common, painful sign that develops during multiple sclerosis (MS) and following spinal cord injury. Current therapy is often associated with dose-limiting adverse side-effects. In the study, CT-3 induced a significant decrease in spasticity, demonstrated a rapid inhibition of limb stiffness and the effect was relatively long-lived. The data suggested that the dose of CT-3 tested exhibited near maximal inhibition of spasticity. The results of the study validated spasticity as a potential indication for CT-3 use. Compared to other cannabinoids such as Tetrahydorcannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) tested in the same animal model (Nature, March 2000), CT-3 appeared to be 100 times more potent in relieving the symptoms of tremor and spasticity.

"We are very excited about the excellent results that CT-3 exhibited in this experimental model of multiple sclerosis", said Michael Ferrari, Vice President of Business Development of Atlantic. "The symptoms of tremor and spasticity in MS are very difficult to control. The positive results from this study provide a rationale for the therapeutic potential of CT-3 in the control of the symptoms of MS. As a result, we are planning to proceed with Phase II clinical trials for this indication."

In related news regarding the therapeutic use of cannabinoids, the world's largest clinical trial using the cannabis plant to control the pain and tremors in MS patients is currently underway at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. First announced in January 2001, this clinical trial is scheduled to last up to two years, with a planned enrollment of 660 patients across the United Kingdom.

In additional related news regarding the therapeutic use of cannabinoids, a recent presentation at the British Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Glasgow, Scotland reported that cannabis extract is proving remarkably effective at relieving severe pain in patients with MS and spinal injury. (C. Cookson, "Cannabis hailed as pain-reliever," Financial Times, FT.com, September 4, 2001). In a year-long study of 23 patients, Dr. William Norcutt reported that the use of a cannabis spray showed promising results at relieving severe pain in patients with MS and spinal injury. The cannabis spray was developed and supplied by GW Pharmaceuticals (London: GWP.L), a company that operates under licenses from the British Home Office to grow cannabis for medical purposes.

The Institute of Neurology is part of the University College London (UCL) Campus. The Institute of Neurology is an internationally recognized center for multiple sclerosis research and has conducted many clinical trials and has a wide patient database. The ethos of the Institute is to link basic and clinical scientists for the benefit of neurological research. The Institute of Neurology is part of the Medical Research Council funded study to examine medical cannibis in symptom control. Should compounds prove therapeutically promising, the Institute is in an ideal position to move the basic science studies forward into Phase II trials in patients. The Institute is currently the only place worldwide with an academic research interest in both experimental and clinical control of spasticity.

About Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.

Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc. is a publicly held venture capital company specializing in early-stage, breakthrough technologies and rapidly incubating these through a definitive proof-of-principle. Atlantic currently has investments in Catarex, a device for cataract removal; CT-3, a synthetic derivative of marijuana for treating pain and inflammation; and, superconducting electronics for telecommunications.

Cautionary statement under the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that relate to future scientific, business and financial performance. These statements are only predictions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual events or results to differ from those discussed or implied in these statements. These risks and uncertainties include competition from other manufacturers of related technologies, the unavailability of any necessary intellectual property rights possessed by third parties, and certain of those risks described in Atlantic's most recent report on Form 10-KSB with the Securities and Exchange Commission.