Anavex has signed an agreement with organic chemistry services provider Syntagon for the scaled-up manufacture of Anavex 2-73, its lead compound for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Anavex 2-73 is scheduled to commence Phase 1 studies in 2009.
Anavex plans to engage a contract research organisation (CRO) shortly to carry out the Phase 1 clinical trials.
During pre-clinical studies (in vitro and in vivo in mice), Anavex 2-73 demonstrated powerful neuroprotective, anti-amnesic, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative and anti-convulsive properties.
It also exhibited an excellent safety profile and therapeutic activity at very low doses.
The compound is a tetrahydrofuran that exhibits high affinity and selectivity to sigma-1 receptors and synergistic action with muscarinic receptors.
Additional beneficial effects have been demonstrated on NMDA receptors.
