Moleac Announces the Beneficial Effect of NeuroAiD (TM) (MLC 901) in Protecting the Brain Against Global Ischemia

SINGAPORE, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- In June 2011, "Neuropharmacology" published a paper establishing NeuroAiD's reparative effects on global cerebral ischemia. Global cerebral ischemia is subsequent to cardiac arrest, reversible severe hypotension or other situations depriving the brain of oxygen and glucose. It results in residual neurologic deficits, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to severe neurological deficits, for which there is no treatment to date.

The research paper shows that NeuroAiD post global ischemia protects the neurons against ischemic injury in the CA1 region of the hippocampus which plays a critical role in the consolidation of information from short-term to long-term memory. In animal models, NeuroAiD inhibits neuronal cell death and protects neurons against DNA fragmentation by activating phosphorylation of the AKT protein and reducing oxidative stress. This corresponds to the better recovery of cognitive and motor deficits observed post stroke in clinical experiences.  

This study builds on previous research conducted in 2010 at the Institute of Molecular Pharmacology of the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research) establishing NeuroAiD's neuroprotective and neuroreparative properties, and explaining the neurological recovery seen in post stroke patients.  The results established that NeuroAiD triggers the synthesis of the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which is known to promote neuroplasticity. Indeed, NeuroAiD induces neurogenesis in rodent and human cells, and stimulates the development of new neuronal circuits of information by promoting cell proliferation and the development of dense axonal and dendritic networks. The recent data further confirms the neuroprotective effect of NeuroAiD and encourages prescribing it as soon as possible after a stroke so as to ensure a higher level of protection.

The lead researchers behind this new paper are Catherine Heurteaux and Michel Lazdunski, world-renowned specialists in pharmacology and neuroscience, who supervised a team of experts in cerebrovascular pathologies and therapeutics from the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the CNRS in France.

Previous trials and clinical reports conducted in Asia have already evidenced NeuroAiD's safety and efficacy in post stroke rehabilitation, even when taken several months after the stroke's onset. This paper comes after the publication of three clinical peer reviewed papers in the first half of 2011. Firstly, the European Journal of Internal Medicine published a paper establishing a significant increase of Cerebral Blood Flow velocity after 3 months in stroke patients treated with NeuroAiD as compared to placebo. These results, in matching a better functional outcome, suggested increased angiogenesis and microcirculation activity. Secondly, Neuronal Regeneration Research published a paper suggesting that NeuroAiD may increase the recovery of vision deficits in post stroke Homonymous Hemianopsia patients. The patients in the NeuroAiD group demonstrated a 50% increase in therapeutic effects as compared to the Piracetam group. Lastly, Stroke Research and Treatment published a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial which was conducted on 150 patients having suffered from stroke less than 3 months ago. NeuroAiD showed a better motor recovery than placebo, and was safe as an add-on to standard ischemic stroke medications, especially in severe and moderate cases.

"This is good news for the patients", commented David Picard, CEO of Moleac. "The number of publications on NeuroAiD since the beginning of the year shows increased interest and reach for NeuroAiD. The latest papers further confirm how NeuroAiD benefits post stroke patients in cognitive and motor recovery. There is a strong urge for us to expand our clinical work to address the needs of post-cardiac arrest patients. In Europe alone, 350,000 people suffer cardiac arrest and many of them are left to cope with cognitive disabilities. For Picard to conclude: "By leveraging our considerable pharmacological research strengths along with extensive clinical studies, we are happy to make new breakthroughs in a broad range of neurologic disorders. We will dedicate our efforts in further investigating the potential of NeuroAiD in treating neurological deficits induced by global ischemia, which could present an interesting strategy for the patients who undergo cardiac arrest."

About Moleac
http://www.moleac.net
Moleac is a Singapore-based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to finding and developing new medicines for the unmet needs of patients worldwide.

About NeuroAiD™
http://www.NeuroAiD™.com
NeuroAiD™ is a stroke treatment to help stroke patients achieve a faster and better recovery. NeuroAiD is derived from natural components, carefully selected for their efficacy and absence of side effects. It currently reaches out to patients in over 25 countries.

Contact details:
Kasia Kaminska
Tel: +65-8533-0652
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Moleac