Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute Partners with Neurotrope BioScience to Advance New Alzheimer's Disease Discoveries

MORGANTOWN, W.Va., April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI) at West Virginia University has entered into a strategic Joint Product Development and Commercialization Agreement with Neurotrope BioScience in the field of neurodegenerative disease. The central focus of this collaboration will be to advance novel diagnostic and therapeutic technologies developed at BRNI that have shown exceptional promise in both preclinical and clinical models of Alzheimer's Disease.

This collaboration between BRNI and Neurotrope BioScience combines the significant efforts BRNI has invested in elucidating new, paradigm changing methods to treat Alzheimer's Disease with the translational medicine capabilities of Neurotrope BioScience. The commercial introduction in the 2014 timeframe of a new, non-invasive diagnostic test for early stage Alzheimer's Disease is the first milestone this collaboration seeks to achieve. Following this, the BRNI-Neurotrope BioScience team will be initiating several Phase 2 clinical trials in this disease with novel drug prototypes discovered at BRNI. The first commercial introduction of one of these experimental medicines could occur in 2018. The scope of this effort is unprecedented and will involve ongoing contributions from BRNI research personnel and other resources within the State of West Virginia. It also presages an entirely different concept on what causes Alzheimer's Disease and how to treat the ravaging effects of this terrible malady.

Dr. Daniel Alkon, Scientific Director at BRNI, will take on the key role of Chief Scientific Officer in Neurotrope BioScience. Dr. Alkon states "We are incredibly excited to advance the scientific discoveries at BRNI into mid-stage clinical trials where we intend to investigate our drug prototypes in not only Alzheimer's Disease, but also ischemic stroke and Fragile X Syndrome. Our long range plans are to advance several drug candidates in this arena to marketing approval by the FDA. This will take time and money, but we have great momentum and urgency driving our efforts."

Dr. Jim New, President and CEO of Neurotrope BioScience, says, "We are privileged to have a partner such as BRNI. For the last 13 years they have quietly pursued an independent research plan ignoring the conventional wisdom that has guided drug development efforts in the Alzheimer's field for the last 25 years. Their successes in this area validate both their mission statement and research strategy. As a result, we have a great technology platform that provides fresh insights on how to treat neurodegenerative diseases."

"Neurotrope BioScience and their investors have signaled both approval and validation for our science. Their entrepreneurial spirit is mirrored in our science, and we think our respective organizations will make for a great team," said Lane Bailey, Chairman of the BRNI Board of Directors. "It takes on average, 12 to 15 years for a new medicine to gain FDA approval and reach the bedside of a patient who needs it. It is a long and expensive journey, but for the more than 44,000 West Virginians and 5 million Americans who have Alzheimer's Disease today and their families and caregivers, a cure cannot come soon enough. We are all grateful for this new investment that will allow BRNI's scientists to build on their progress and showcase the kind of research and advancement underway in the Mountain State." 

About the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute

The Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI) 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.

About Neurotrope BioScience

Neurotrope BioScience is a biotechnology and bioscience company seeking to advance novel therapeutic and diagnostic technologies for Alzheimer's Disease. Based in Plantation, Florida, with a diagnostic laboratory in Rockville, Maryland, Neurotrope BioScience is led by Dr. Jim New, a well-respected industry veteran, whose experience includes commercial pharmaceutical operations as well as both branded and generic pharmaceutical product development.

Contact: Randi Kahn
[email protected]
202-654-7026

SOURCE Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute