Neurotrope Receives Research Grant From the FRAXA Research Foundation to Fund Pre-Clinical Fragile X Syndrome Behavioral Studies
Studies to evaluate the effects of bryostatin-1 in a Fragile X Syndrome mouse model over a thirteen week period
NEWARK, N.J., Apr. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Neurotrope, Inc. (OTCQB: NTRP) today announced that eurotrope BioScience, Inc., its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, has received a grant from the FRAXA Research Foundation, Inc. ("FRAXA") to fund a pre-clinical Fragile X Syndrome ("FXS") behavior study for its lead proprietary drug candidate, bryostatin, at FRAXA's purpose built laboratory located at the University of Chile in Santiago, Chile.
FRAXA was founded in 1994 by three parents of children with FXS to support scientific research aimed at finding a treatment and a cure for this disease. FXS is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and the most common known genetic cause of autism or autism spectrum disorders. FRAXA funds grants and fellowships at universities all over the world and has funded more than $24 million in scientific research.
Under the terms of the grant, FRAXA will provide full funding for a preclinical study to evaluate the behavioral effects of bryostatin-1 in a FXS mouse model. Bryostatin is a potent activator of Protein Kinase C (PKC), which Neurotrope believes is a viable therapeutic approach for the treatment of FXS. Preclinical research at the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI), which formed the basis for Neurotrope receiving Orphan Drug Designation for bryostatin, has suggested that treatment with bryostatin can mature synapses and increase the number of synaptic connections resulting in improved learning and memory.
Neurotrope is developing bryostatin under a licensing agreement with BRNI. The Company was recently granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for bryostatin in the treatment of FXS.
"We are pleased to have received a grant from FRAXA to fund this important research as we continue working toward our goal of bringing an effective treatment to the market for patients and their families who deal with consequences of this severe genetic disorder" stated Charles S. Ramat, President and CEO of Neurotrope. "Having obtained orphan drug designation for bryostatin in FXS, we now look forward to accelerating our research efforts as we develop our clinical program. We are excited to work with FRAXA at its laboratory in the University of Santiago to garner additional preclinical evidence of the therapeutic value for bryostatin in treating FXS."
About 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. There is currently no FDA approved treatment for FXS available on the market today. Symptoms of FXS include moderate to severe learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, seizures and cognitive impairment. FXS is caused by a partial or a full mutation of the FMR1 gene.
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 FXS.
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 a preclinical study evaluating the behavioral effects of bryostatin-1 in a FXS mouse model, future strategies for development of treatments for orphan diseases, building a portfolio of drug candidates for orphan diseases, suggestions of bryostatin's usefullness and potential for the diagnostic system to assess Alzheimer's disease, FXS and other cognitive dysfunctions in patients. 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, significant government regulation of pharmaceuticals and the healthcare industry, 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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