Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals Announces Last Patient Out for Studies in ALS and Dyskinesias Associated with the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, a privately held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing high-impact therapeutics that address critical unmet needs, primarily in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, announced today the Company has achieved last patient out in two studies:  a Phase 1 clinical study of NP001 in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease) and a Phase 1/2 clinical study of NP002 in patients with L-dopa-induced dyskinesias (muscle movement disorders).  NP001 is a novel small molecule that regulates macrophage activation, with potential application to a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.  NP002 is a small molecule, nicotinic receptor agonist.  All patients enrolled in both studies have completed protocol procedures, and reporting of top-line results is expected by November.

Andrew Gengos, Neuraltus' President and CEO, will present an update on Neuraltus' clinical pipeline at the 9th Annual BIO Investor Forum at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on Tuesday, October 5, 2010.  Mr. Gengos' presentation will begin at 3:00 pm PT (6:00 pm ET) and will be available upon request through Neuraltus' website at www.neuraltus.com.

Mr. Gengos commented, "We are pleased with the efficiency and speed of our clinical programs, which represent new, first-in-class approaches to treating each target disease indication.  This applies as well to our third program nearing the clinic, NP003, which has potential application in treating lysosomal storage disorders such as Fabry's disease and Gaucher's disease, as well as Parkinson's disease."

About NP001

NP001, a novel, proprietary small molecule that regulates macrophage activation, targets diseases including ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.  NP001 is designed to transform select immune cells (macrophages) from a neurotoxic state to a neuroprotective state, normalizing the cellular environment of critical nerve cells.

Neuraltus' focus on macrophages is based on the recent understanding of the fundamental role of inflammation and macrophages in neurological diseases.  Runaway inflammation has been associated with many of the symptoms seen in severe neurological diseases and is believed to play a major role in the progression of these diseases.  Treating inflammation of the central nervous system (neuroinflammation) provides a robust platform for addressing upstream disease mechanisms associated with the most severe neurodegenerative diseases.

About NP002

NP002, a small molecule nicotinic receptor agonist, is designed to reduce dyskinesias (muscle movement disorders) that are a primary side effect of L-dopa treatment in Parkinson's disease patients.  Of the 500,000 - 1.5 million Parkinson's patients in the United States, more than 50% experience L-dopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs).  Preclinical in vivo research has shown that NP002 reduces LIDs without affecting Parkinsonian symptoms on or off L-dopa treatment.

About NP003

NP003 is an orally bioavailable, small molecule designed to treat lysosomal storage disorders such as Fabry's disease and Gaucher's disease.  NP003 works by limiting the ability of harmful lipids to collect in the cells of lysosomal storage disorder patients.  NP003 is expected to be synergistic with current enzyme replacement therapies.  In addition, because it crosses the blood-brain barrier, NP003 is expected to provide central nervous system protection from abnormal lipid accumulation.  NP003 may also inhibit glycolipid-induced aggregation in the brain of alpha-synuclein protein, believed to be a primary cause of Parkinson's disease.

About Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing high-impact therapeutics that address critical unmet needs, primarily in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.  Neuraltus has three clinical-stage programs in its development pipeline, including potential treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease), Parkinson's disease and dyskinesias associated with the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis, as well as lysosomal storage disorders such as Fabry's disease and Gaucher's disease.  Each of Neuraltus' clinical-stage programs is advancing novel drug molecules that represent new, first-in-class approaches to treating the Company's target disease indications.

Neuraltus was formed in 2009 and closed a $17M Series A financing in March of that year with leading venture groups Latterell Venture Partners, VantagePoint Venture Partners and Adams Street Partners. Neuraltus was founded by Michael McGrath, MD, PhD, Professor of Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco; Edgar Engleman, MD, Professor of Medicine and Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Ari Azhir, PhD.

For more information on Neuraltus, please visit www.neuraltus.com.

SOURCE Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals