Full Press Release Details
Anavex Appoints Dr. Christopher Shackleton as an Advisor
HOBOKEN, NJ, April 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Anavex Life
Sciences Corp. ("Anavex") (OTCBB:AVXL.ob - News) today announced the appointment
of Dr. Christopher Shackleton as an advisor to the Company.
Dr. Shackleton is a prominent, uniquely qualified physician and
surgeon, clinical investigator, information technologist, and corporate
finance/healthcare solutions consultant. He holds triple specialist credentials
in medical and surgical disciplines, and has a track record of success as a
laboratory and clinical researcher/investigator. In addition, Dr. Shackleton has
a strong publication record and is a renowned innovator, pioneer and leader in
the development and deployment of new clinical techniques and treatment
modalities. In addition to obtaining his medical education and training from the
University of British Columbia, University of Toronto and Harvard Medical
School, Dr. Shackleton studied corporate finance, financial markets and
financial derivatives at The London School of Economics and Political Science
and rose to the rank of full professor at the University of California at Los
Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine. He is also on the Board of Trustees of the
"We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Shackleton join our
team. As a very experienced physician, we believe he will be a strong asset to
Anavex. His medical credentials and financial acumen make him well qualified to
provide us with strategic advice on numerous important business initiatives,"
said Dr. Cameron Durrant, Executive Chairman of Anavex.
"I look forward to speaking with various stakeholders about
Anavex and ANAVEX 2-73, the company's lead compound for Alzheimer's disease.
Preclinical results have been very encouraging and it is exciting to see 2-73
entering clinical trials," said Dr. Christopher Shackleton. "Alzheimer's disease
has evolved into one of the most challenging and costly health-care issues we
face. Its impact on individuals and their loved ones is devastating while the
societal and economic costs are staggering and rapidly increasing. There is a
compelling need for interventions that go beyond the limited symptomatic
treatment afforded by currently available drugs. The disappointing yield
achieved thus far by anti-amyloid targeted strategies has led to renewed
interest in molecules with novel mechanisms of action, such as the Anavex
platform compounds."
About Alzheimer's Disease
While Alzheimer's disease is most common in people over the age
of 65, it can strike adults of any age irrespective of their gender, background
or socioeconomic status. According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated
5.4 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease. The number
of Americans aged 65 and over with Alzheimer's is estimated to reach 7.7 million
in 2030. This represents a 50 percent increase from the 5.2 million Americans
aged 65 and older who are currently affected. The Alzheimer's Association
further projects that the number of Americans aged 65 and older who are affected
by Alzheimer's disease may triple to between 11 and 16 million by 2050 unless
there are developments to prevent or more effectively treat the disease.
ANAVEX 2-73 is the first of a new class of oral,
disease-modifying drugs being studied to potentially treat Alzheimer's disease
itself, versus treating its symptoms.
About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is a specialty
pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel drug
candidates for the treatment of neurological diseases and cancer. The Anavex
proprietary SIGMACEPTOR Discovery Platform involves the rational design of drug
compounds targeted to specific receptors involved in the modulation of multiple
cellular biochemical signaling pathways.
The SIGMACEPTOR -N program involves the development of novel
drug candidates that target neurological and neurodegenerative diseases
(Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, depression, pain). The company's lead drug
candidates exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors, which have been
extensively documented as potentially valuable drug targets and have
demonstrated anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties. A portfolio of back-up
compounds to ANAVEX 2-73 are also in development.
Anavex is a publicly traded company under the symbol AVXL.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly
historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only
predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number
of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release
include that our lead drug candidate has potentially valuable anti-amnesic and
neuroprotective properties, and that ANAVEX 2-73 is the first of a new class of
oral, disease-modifying drugs which could potentially treat Alzheimer's disease.
Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of
such statements due to various factors, including the risks and uncertainties
inherent in drug discovery and development, which include, without limitation,
the potential failure of development candidates to advance through preclinical
studies or demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical testing and the ability
to pass clinical trials so as to move on to the next phase, our ability to
retain key employees and our ability to finance development or satisfy the
rigorous regulatory requirements for new drugs. Competitors may develop better
or cheaper alternatives to our products. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by
this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no
obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Email: info@anavex.com
Shareholder & Media Relations
Outside North America: +1 (416) 489-0092