Neurotrope Joins National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Corporate Council
NEWARK, N.J., Apr. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Neurotrope, Inc. (OTCQB: NTRP) today announced that, based upon its work in orphan drug indications, it has been invited to join the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) as a member of the NORD Corporate Council. NORD is a leading independent, non-profit organization committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders.
The NORD Corporate Council is composed of a select group of leading companies committed to helping people with rare diseases. The Council provides a unique opportunity for interaction with the rare disease community, including patient advocacy organizations, and enables companies to discuss emerging trends with top experts in the worldwide rare disease effort. Members include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, as well as companies engaged in other aspects of health care for the rare disease/orphan product community such as specialty pharmacies and distributors, consulting firms, integrated health care systems, and contract research organizations. Membership supports NORD's programs of education, advocacy, research and service.
"We are pleased to have Neurotrope join the NORD Corporate Council, and we appreciate its commitment to bring innovative new therapies to market for the treatment of orphan indications with its initial focus targeting Fragile X Syndrome and Niemann-Pick Disease Type C," stated Peter L. Saltonstall, President & CEO of NORD.
In addition to its work in developing therapies for Alzheimer's disease, Neurotrope's pipeline includes therapies for the treatment of Fragile X Syndrome and Neimann-Pick Disease Type C, two debilitating rare/orphan diseases. Neurotrope's development work in this area is performed in cooperation with the Blanchette Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, respectively, pursuant to license agreements with each institution.
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and the most common known genetic cause of autism or autism spectrum disorders. Symptoms of FXS include a range from learning disabilities to more severe cognitive or intellectual disabilities. Delays in speech and language development are common, as are a variety of physical and behavioral characteristics. FXS is caused by a "full mutation" of the FMR1 Gene.
Niemann-Pick Type C Disease (NP-C) mainly affects children who become afflicted with Alzheimer-like symptoms. Rates of disease progression and life expectancy vary widely; however, the majority of patients die between 10 and 25 years of age. The early onset of neurological symptoms, i.e. in early childhood, leads to faster deterioration and earlier death than for those affected in adolescence or adulthood. Progressive neurological manifestations in NP-C have a profound effect on quality of life of both patients and their caregivers.
About Neurotrope
Neurotrope Bioscience Inc., the operating subsidiary of Neurotrope, Inc., was formed in October 2012 principally to license, develop and commercialize various novel therapeutic and diagnostic technologies from the Blanchette Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (BRNI), which are focused on the development of conventional small molecules that are extraordinarily potent in the activation of the enzyme PKCe. PKCe has been shown to play a central role in the regrowth or repair of nervous tissues, cells or cell products. Neurotrope's pipeline, under its license from BRNI, includes the drug candidate, bryostatin, for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and a minimally invasive, diagnostic biomarker analysis system which would assess the presence of Alzheimer's in patients. In addition, Neurotrope has a world-wide, exclusive license agreement with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai located in New York City to utilize its proprietary information and data package for the use of bryostatin-1 in the treatment of Niemann-Pick Type C Disease, a rare disease, mostly of children who are afflicted with Alzheimer-like symptoms. Also, the Company, under its BRNI license, has the rights to develop the licensed technology for other cognitive dysfunctions, including orphan diseases, such as Fragile X Syndrome.
About National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Established in 1983, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is the primary nonprofit organization representing all patients and families affected by rare diseases in the U.S. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment and cure of all 7,000 rare diseases that affect 30 million Americans, or one in every 10 people. NORD provides programs of advocacy, education, research and patient/family services to improve the lives of all people living with rare diseases. NORD represents more than 220 disease-specific member organizations and partners with many other organizations in specific causes of importance to the rare disease patient community. Follow NORD at www.rarediseases.org/ and on Twitter at @RareDiseases.
About The Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute
Located in Morgantown, WV, BRNI, at West Virginia University, is a unique, independent, non-profit institute dedicated to the study of memory and finding solutions to memory disorders. BRNI was founded in 1999 in memory of Blanchette Ferry Hooker Rockefeller, an Alzheimer's patient and mother of U. S. Senator John D. Rockefeller IV. BRNI is operated in alliance with West Virginia University as well as in collaboration with other academic institutions.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the plans to bring orphan drugs to market. Such forward- looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control over. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the Company's inability to obtain adequate financing, the significant length of time associated with drug development and related insufficient cash flows and resulting illiquidity, the Company's patent portfolio, the Company's inability to expand the Company's business, significant government regulation of pharmaceuticals and the healthcare industry, lack of product diversification, availability of the Company's raw materials, existing or increased competition, stock volatility and illiquidity, and the Company's failure to implement the Company's business plans or strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company's filings with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.
Please visit www.neurotropebioscience.com for further information.
For additional information, please contact:
Robert Weinstein
Chief Financial Officer
+1-973-242-0005
[email protected]
SOURCE Neurotrope, Inc.
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