Axonyx Initiates a Phase II Alzheimer's Disease Trial With Phenserine.Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers NEW YORK--(BW HealthWire) Dec. 19, 2000-Axonyx Inc. (Nasdaq/SC:AXYX) announced today that the Company has initiated a Phase II proof-of-concept clinical trial for Phenserine, its lead drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's disease (ăls`hī'mərz, ôls–), degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain and senile dementia. . The first patients have been randomized ran·dom·ize tr.v. ran·dom·ized, ran·dom·iz·ing, ran·dom·iz·es To make random in arrangement, especially in order to control the variables in an experiment. and will receive either active or placebo treatment. A Phase II clinical trial Noun 1. phase II clinical trial - a clinical trial on more persons than in phase I; intended to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment for the condition it is intended to treat; possible side effects are monitored phase II is an important step in the regulatory development process towards the eventual approval of a marketable drug. The Phase II study is double blind and designed to determine the efficacy and safety in patients with the clinical signs of mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease. It is being conducted in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. at two clinical sites well-known for their work in this therapeutic area. Study results are expected towards the end of the second quarter 2001. Phenserine, for which Axonyx holds worldwide rights, is designed to be a highly selective and reversible inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase acetylcholinesterase /ac·e·tyl·cho·lin·es·ter·ase/ (AChE) (-ko?li-nes´ter-as) an enzyme present in the central nervous system, particularly in nervous tissue, muscle, and red cells, that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine to , a principal component of the biochemical mechanism biochemical mechanism Any chemical reaction or series of reactions, often enzyme-mediated, which result in a physiologic effect underlying learning, memory and cognition. "Phenserine has properties in common with other previously approved drugs for Alzheimer's Disease and we are optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op that it will show a substantial positive therapeutic effect in this Phase II study," stated Marvin S. Hausman, M.D., President & CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Axonyx. "Phenserine could potentially offer physicians an attractive alternative therapy beyond the current products available for Alzheimer's Disease because it has been shown to be well tolerated. In addition, preclinical findings suggest that Phenserine could have the unique ability to lower the levels of beta-amyloid, a recognized toxic component in Alzheimer's Disease." Axonyx Inc. is a biotechnology company engaged in the acquisition and development of proprietary pharmaceutical compounds and new technologies useful in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and other memory disorders. This press release may contain forward-looking statements or predictions. These statements represent our judgment as of this date and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could materially affect the Company. Axonyx undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. |
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