Data presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience
WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Repligen Corporation
(Nasdaq: RGEN) today reported preclinical data for RG2417 in validated rodent
models of anxiety at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. The
preclinical data indicate that RG2417 has anti-anxiety properties in the
animal models and may have activity in anxiety disorders. RG2417 is a
proprietary formulation of the nucleoside uridine that is currently in
development for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and
neurodegenerative diseases. Repligen previously reported the results of a
Phase 1 clinical trial of a prodrug of uridine in bipolar disorder and major
depression in which administration of the drug appeared to be safe and
provided early evidence of clinical effect of the drug.
"We are pleased that RG2417 has demonstrated additional activity in an
animal model of anxiety," stated Walter C. Herlihy, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Repligen. "We currently plan to evaluate uridine in a
Phase 2a clinical trial in bipolar disorder next year and will continue to
evaluate the potential role of RG2417 in the treatment of other
neuropsychiatric disorders."
The aim of the preclinical study was to evaluate the effects of uridine
treatment in mouse models of anxiety, including open field locomotor activity,
elevated plus-maze test and light/dark choice procedure. In the study,
uridine produced a dose-related anti-anxiety effect in the light/dark test
while producing no significant adverse effects on general locomotor activity.
The anxiolytic, or anxiety relieving, activity of RG2417 was similar to that
observed with diazepam, or Valium, a commonly prescribed treatment for
anxiety. These data suggest that RG2417 may have activity in anxiety
disorders without impairment of general activities.
About RG2417
RG2417 is a proprietary formulation of uridine, a biological compound
essential for the synthesis of DNA and RNA, the basic hereditary material
found in all cells, and numerous other factors essential for cell metabolism.
Uridine is synthesized by the mitochondria, the power plant of the human cell
responsible for energy metabolism. The rationale for uridine therapy in
neuropsychiatric disorders is supported by preclinical and clinical research.
Recent reports indicate that certain genes that encode for mitochondrial
proteins are significantly down regulated in the brains of bipolar patients.
This new insight suggests that the symptoms of bipolar disorder may be linked
to dysregulation of energy metabolism of the brain.
About Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately
20 million adults in the United States. These disorders include generalized
anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder,
panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Symptoms of anxiety
disorders can significantly impact normal function including intense fear,
overwhelming anxiety and excessive embarrassment or humiliation by one's own
actions. Although conventional antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs can be
effective in some patients they typically lead to adverse side effects that
can include sedation, cognitive impairment and appetite stimulation.
About Repligen Corporation
Repligen Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company committed to being the
leader in the development of novel therapeutics for profound neuropsychiatric
disorders and autoimmune disease with particular emphasis on applications for
children. Repligen has a Specialty Pharmaceuticals business comprised of
rProtein A(TM) and SecreFlo(TM), the profits from which will be used to
partially support the development of our proprietary products. Repligen's
corporate headquarters are located at 41 Seyon Street, Building #1, Suite 100,
Waltham, MA 02453. Additional information may be requested from
http://www.repligen.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. The forward-looking statements in this press release do not
constitute guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned that
statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements,
including, without limitation, statements regarding current or future
financial performance, management's strategy, plans and objectives for future
operations, clinical trials and results, litigation strategy, product
research, intellectual property, development and manufacturing plans,
constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation,
risks associated with: the success of current and future collaborative
relationships, the success of our clinical trials and our ability to develop
and commercialize products, our ability to obtain required regulatory
approvals, our compliance with all Food and Drug Administration regulations,
our ability to obtain, maintain and protect intellectual property rights for
our products, the risk of current and future litigation regarding our patent
and other intellectual property rights, the risk of litigation with
collaborative partners, our limited sales and marketing experience and
capabilities, our limited manufacturing capabilities and our dependence on
third-party manufacturers and value-added resellers, the market acceptance of
our products, our ability to compete with larger, better financed
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that may develop new approaches to
the treatment of our targeted diseases, our history of losses and expectation
of incurring continued losses, our ability to generate future revenues, our
ability to raise additional capital to continue our drug development programs,
and other risks detailed in Repligen's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Repligen assumes no obligation to update any forward-
looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the
announcements described herein.
SOURCE Repligen Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.repligen.com
CONTACT:
Walter C. Herlihy, Ph.D., President and Chief
Executive Officer, +1-781-250-0111, ext. 2000, or Laura
Whitehouse, Vice President, Market Development, +1-781-250-0111,
ext. 2306, both of Repligen
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