LAS VEGAS, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Samaritan Pharmaceuticals
Inc. (Amex: LIV) a developer of innovative drugs to target AIDS, Alzheimer's
and Cardiovascular disease, announced today, it has been granted an exclusive
worldwide license from Georgetown University to develop and market a new lead
drug candidate (SP-08) for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Preclinical data suggests SP-08 to be an attractive drug candidate that
theoretically could create a new therapeutic class, since it aims at multiple
targets at the same time. The next step for the future development of this
unique drug is geared toward an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for
Alzheimer's; in addition to Samaritan's advanced Alzheimer's drug SP-233.
Dr. Janet Greeson, CEO of Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, stated, "While the
ability to improve loss of memory and learning could be a major breakthrough
in the treatment of Alzheimer's, what we hope to accomplish in the long term
is to have a drug that actually reverses the impairment of memory associated
with Alzheimer's disease."
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that affects over 15
million people worldwide, causing memory loss and, ultimately, dementia.
Alzheimer's usually begins gradually, causing a person to forget recent events
or familiar tasks. How rapidly it advances varies from person to person, but
the disease eventually leads to confusion, personality and behavior changes
and impaired judgment. Communication becomes more difficult as the disease
progresses, leaving those affected struggling to find words, finish thoughts
or follow directions. Eventually, most people with Alzheimer's disease become
unable to care for themselves.
Samaritan Pharmaceuticals: "A Cure Is Closer Than You Think."
Samaritan Pharmaceuticals is working to ensure a longer and better life,
for patients suffering with AIDS, Alzheimer's, Cancer and Cardiovascular
disease. Samaritan is an innovation-driven Biopharmaceutical, with a clear
focus on advancing innovative drugs through clinical development to become
commercially valuable compounds.
Samaritan has in-licensed twelve innovations from Georgetown University
and is concurrently, advancing four drug programs; SP-01A (HIV) Clinical
trials; SP-10 (HIV) preIND status; SP-233 (Alzheimer's) preIND status; and
SP-1000 (Cardiovascular) animal studies; along with an STTR NIH grant to
develop a simple blood test to diagnose Alzheimer's.
Samaritan's proprietary HIV drug SP-01A is the closest to
commercialization. SP-01A is an easy to take, oral, "Entry Inhibitor" drug
that works by blocking the HIV virus' ability to infect a cell. Encouraging
data from its FDA Phase I/II trial suggests SP-01A, as a promising drug for
patients experiencing "drug resistance."
Visit our Web site at http://www.samaritanpharmaceuticals.com
Disclaimer
The company disclaims any information that is created by an outside party
and endorses only information that is communicated by its press releases,
filings and Web site. This news release contains forward-looking statements
that reflect management's current beliefs about the potential for its drug
candidates, science and technology. However, as with any biopharmaceutical
under development, there are significant risks and uncertainties in the
process of development and regulatory review. There are no guarantees that
products will prove to be commercially successful. For additional information
about the factors that affect the company's business, please read the
company's latest Form 10-K filed April 14, 2004. The company undertakes no
duty to update forward-looking statements.
For more information, please contact:
Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Gene Boyle, 702-735-7001
Fax: 702-737-7016
Email: GeneBoyle@aol.com
SOURCE Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/158311.html
Related links:
www.samaritanpharmaceuticals.com
CONTACT:
Gene Boyle of Samaritan Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., +1-702-735-7001, or fax, +1-702-737-7016, GeneBoyle@aol.com
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