Anavex Appoints Alzheimer's Industry Leader to Scientific Advisory Board

NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Anavex Life Sciences Corp. ("Anavex" or the "Company") (OTCQB: AVXL) today announced the appointment of Michael Gold, MD, as a member of its Scientific Advisory Board.  Dr. Gold has over 20 years of experience in the clinical development of Alzheimer's and other central nervous system (CNS) drugs and currently serves as Vice President of the CNS practice at UCB, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company.  His background also includes leadership roles with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS).

At GSK, Dr. Gold was responsible for the late-stage CNS and pain portfolio.  He also led several clinical Phase II and Phase III Alzheimer's disease-related project teams.  At J&J, Dr. Gold served as the Compound Development Team Leader for Galantamine, an Alzheimer's drug, culminating in FDA approval of Galantamine CR (Razadyne® ER).  Prior to joining UCB, Dr. Gold served as the Chief Medical Officer of Allon Therapeutics, where he led a large pan-US and European clinical study for a neurodegenerative disease.

Before joining the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Gold was an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Medicine Department of Neurology and Director of the USF Memory Disorders Clinic.  During this time, he was the Principal Investigator for several clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease.  He has also authored multiple publications related to Alzheimer's and dementia. Dr. Gold also holds an academic appointment as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Gold as an advisor to the Company," said Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex.  "Dr. Gold brings substantial experience and expertise which we expect will be invaluable to Anavex as we execute on our strategic and organic growth initiatives."

"I am proud to join Anavex and help advance the Company's promising drug pipeline," said Dr. Gold.  "I look forward to helping guide the development of Anavex's breakthrough treatments for Alzheimer's and other CNS indications."

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of novel drug candidates to treat Alzheimer's, CNS diseases and various types of cancer. ANAVEX 2-73, an orally available drug candidate developed to treat Alzheimer's through potential disease modification, has undergone an initial Phase 1 human clinical trial and was well tolerated in doses up to 55mg. Results from pre-clinical studies indicate that ANAVEX 2-73 demonstrates anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties.  A highly encouraging synergistic effect has also been observed between ANAVEX 2-73 and Aricept® (donepezil).  The combined therapeutics produced up to 80% greater reversal of memory loss in Alzheimer's disease models versus when the drugs were used individually. Anavex is a publicly traded corporation quoted as AVXL.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

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SOURCE Anavex Life Sciences Corp.