Neurotrope's Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Daniel Alkon Presents at the Gordon Conference: Drugs That Target Common Mechanisms for Synaptic Restoration in Mental Retardation and Alzheimer's Disease

NEWARK, N.J., June 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Neurotrope, Inc. (OTCQB: NTRP): Dr. Daniel Alkon, Chief Scientific Officer of Neurotrope,  discussed "Modulation of PKC Epsilon as a Therapeutic Strategy" as a potential treatment for both Fragile X mental retardation and Alzheimer's disease at the Autism-Related Disorders Gordon Conference.

Dr. Alkon described accumulating evidence that many memory disorders, particularly those due to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Fragile X mental retardation, share common features of memory-related pathology: the loss and degeneration of synapses and synaptic networks in the brain.  Memory therapeutics, such as Bryostatin currently being clinically tested by Neurotrope, could restore synapses that were lost due to a number of types of neurodegeneration as occurs in Fragile X mental retardation, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, and stroke.   Synaptic loss, appears, therefore, to constitute a critical point of pathologic convergence in memory disorders, and their restoration would be essential to restore lost functions of brain networks.

Bryostatin, which may induce synaptogenesis – i.e. the creation of new synapses – and may prevent neuronal death, has demonstrated promising potential in genetic models of both Fragile X mental retardation and Alzheimer's disease to slow, halt, and even reverse progressive loss of cognitive functions of these disorders at the level of the molecular structures of brain synapses.   Bryostatin has also undergone successful testing in a Phase II A trial and Compassionate Use trials, and is now being tested in an ongoing Phase II B trial.   This potential efficacy of Bryostatin and related drugs may work through synaptogenic molecular cascades that increase the synthesis and activity of growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF).  As such, Neurotrope's drug platform has shown the potential to have universal therapeutic value for many forms of memory disorders.  "The restoration and rejuvenation of synaptic networks in brain disorders such as Fragile X and Alzheimer's disease could open a new era in the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders," said Dr. Alkon. 

For further detailed discussion see the recent review article written by Dr. Alkon and published in the June 2015 edition of Trends in Pharmacological Sciences Vol. 36 No. 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2015.04.004

About Neurotrope
Neurotrope BioScience, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Neurotrope, Inc., is at the forefront of biotechnology companies having a focus on developing a novel therapy for the treatment of moderately severe to severe Alzheimer's disease. The scientific basis of our treatment is activation of Protein Kinase C isozymes ε and α by bryostatin, a natural product, which can result in repair of damaged synapses as well as synaptogenesis, reduction of toxic amyloid generation, and enhancement of memory and learning, thus having the potential to improve cognition and behavior in Alzheimer's disease.

Neurotrope is also conducting preclinical studies of bryostatin as a treatment for Fragile X Syndrome and Niemann-Pick Type C disease, two rare genetic diseases for which only symptomatic treatments are currently available. The Food and Drug Administration has granted Orphan Drug Designation to Neurotrope for bryostatin as a treatment for Fragile X Syndrome.  Bryostatin has undergone testing in over 1400 people establishing a large safety database.

Neurotrope has exclusively licensed technology from the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute for Alzheimer's disease and Fragile X Syndrome, has a world-wide, exclusive license with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai for Niemann-Pick Type C.  The company has also entered into a collaboration with RettSydrome.org and is partnered with Stanford University to synthesize and find the next generation bryostatin – called bryologs.

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 the proposed study and timing of initiation, and continued development of use of bryostatin for Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive diseases, and the Company's ability to list its common shares on a major stock exchange.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to 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, the Company's inability to expand the Company's business, the Company's inability to meet listing requirements for major stock exchanges, significant government regulation of pharmaceuticals and the healthcare industry, lack of product diversification, 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 year ended December 31, 2015 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.

Please visit www.neurotropebioscience.com for further information.

For additional information, please contact:
Neurotrope Bioscience
Charles Ramat, Chief Executive Officer
973-242-0005
[email protected]

SOURCE Neurotrope, Inc.

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