NeoTherapeutics Presents Data on Two Novel Antipsychotic Drugs

05 декабря, 2002
At the Annual Meeting of Society for Neuroscience NEO-376 and NEO-392 May Represent a New Generation of Antipsychotics PR Newswire Leased Line via NewsEdge Corporation : At the Annual Meeting of Society for Neuroscience NEO-376 and NEO-392 May Represent a New Generation of Antipsychotics With a Unique Mechanism of Action IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NeoTherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEOT) announced results of research recently presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. This work helped identify two lead compounds from the Company's antipsychotic drug program. NEO-376 and NEO-392 showed similar efficacy to clozapine in reversal of PCP-induced disruption of pre-pulse inhibition, a commonly used model for evaluating antipsychotic treatments. In preliminary studies, both compounds had improved safety profiles compared to clozapine and risperidone. Particularly, the data showed that NEO-376 does not impair conditioned-avoidance responding, a measure of cognitive function. This suggests that NEO-376 may have reduced impact on cognition compared to currently marketed antipsychotics. The annual sales of antipsychotics are in multi-billion dollar range. Beginning in 2000, NeoTherapeutics began developing a series of novel compounds for the treatment of schizophrenia and mood disorders. Studies have shown that these compounds have an affinity for the D(4) and 5-HT(1A) receptors and functional studies have suggest that the compounds are D(4) antagonists and 5-HT(1A) agonists. Additional studies have shown that these compounds modulate dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmitter and metabolite levels in the prefrontal cortex or striatum. Such modulation is thought to be essential for alleviating the positive and negative symptoms of psychosis. "We have selected NEO-376 and NEO-392 as lead compounds from our anti-psychotic program. The data suggest that these drugs have a novel mechanism of action, efficacy in animal models of psychosis, and promising safety profiles. Further development of these drugs may produce a new class of drugs for treating psychosis," stated Rajesh Shrotriya, M.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of NeoTherapeutics. "We are actively seeking a partner to help us bring NEO-376 and NEO-392 to Investigational New Drug (IND) filings and begin clinical studies in humans." NeoTherapeutics seeks to create value for shareholders through the development of in-licensed drugs for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. The Company's lead drug, satraplatin, is a phase 3 oral, anti-cancer drug. Elsamitrucin, a phase 2 drug, will initially target non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Neoquin(tm) is being studied in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer, and may have applications as a radiation sensitizer. The Company also has a pipeline of pre-clinical neurological drug candidates for disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, mild cognitive impairment and pain, which it is actively seeking to out-license or co-develop. For additional information visit the Company's web site at www.neot.com . This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of NeoTherapeutics that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks are described in further detail in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For further information please contact John McManus of NeoTherapeutics, Inc., +1-949-788-6700, ext. 247. MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X75566852 SOURCE NeoTherapeutics, Inc. .TABLE -0- 12/05/2002 /CONTACT: John McManus of NeoTherapeutics, Inc., +1-949-788-6700, ext. 247/ /Web site: http://www.neot.com / (NEOT) CO: NeoTherapeutics, Inc. ST: California IN: MTC BIO OTC SU: TDS PDT SVY KK -- LATH062 -- 0783 12/05/2002 14:38 EST http://www.prnewswire.com <> << Copyright ©2002 PR Newswire >>