Alseres Pharmaceuticals Presents Inosine And Dopamine Transporter (DAT) Blocker Preclinical Data At The ASENT Conference

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Conferences;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 11 Mar 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALSE) announced that data from preclinical studies of the Company's nerve repair candidate, Inosine, and DAT Blocker product candidates from its neurodegeneration program were presented at the ASENT conference, March 6-8, 2008 in Arlington, VA.

The first poster presentation entitled: "Brain microdialysate and plasma concentrations of Inosine during intravenous Inosine infusion in conscious rats" highlighted the results of a central nervous system (CNS) microdialysis study designed to measure the levels of Inosine in the brain during intravenous infusion of high concentrations of Inosine. The results suggest that Inosine infused intravenously was measurably able to cross the blood- brain barrier. Inosine is a nerve regenerative factor that has been shown to promote axon outgrowth in neurons and has potential to be used to treat CNS disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.

"The literature suggests that Inosine can cross the blood-brain barrier, however, no direct measurements of brain levels of Inosine during systemic dosing have been previously reported," commented Noel Cusack, Ph.D, Alseres' Senior Vice President of Preclinical Development. "This study shows that when administered intravenously using our new, highly-concentrated Inosine formulation, Inosine levels in the brain increased more than 600%, thus offering a viable alternative to more invasive administration."

The second poster presentation entitled: "Brain and Plasma Pharmacokinetics of Three Dopamine Transporter (DAT)-selective Blockers After Administration of a Range of Single Oral Doses in Conscious Mice" summarized the findings of a study to determine brain bioavailability following oral administration of three highly-selective DAT Blockers. The data presented have shown that all three DAT blockers given orally were rapidly absorbed into the blood and the brain and provided favorable brain-to-blood plasma ratios.

"Alseres' DAT blockers have previously been shown to mitigate Parkinson's Disease symptoms in a non-human primate model of PD when given by intramuscular injection. But obviously oral dosing is generally a much more convenient route of routine administration," noted Dr. Cusack. "We believe that this study, using a range of oral doses for three DAT Blockers, has successfully shown that these compounds are potentially attractive candidates for oral treatments of PD."

About Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALSE) is a biotechnology company engaged in developing breakthrough regenerative therapeutics to treat traumatic injuries and degenerative diseases. The Company maintains a world- class intellectual property position in the field of regenerative therapeutics. The Company's energy and focus is reflected in several important initiatives. Cethrin(R), a recombinant-protein-based drug designed to promote nerve repair after acute spinal cord injury, demonstrated positive interim results in a Phase I/IIa clinical trial. The Company's research and pre-clinical programs include, Inosine for the treatment of spinal cord injury and stroke, Oncomodulin for the treatment of ocular injury and disease and research programs directed at a number of regenerative therapies including bone repair. The Company has a robust molecular imaging development program targeting diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and potentially dementia and ADHD. The Company's lead molecular imaging product candidate is ALTROPANE(R) which is in Phase III clinical trials for the diagnosis of Parkinsonian Syndromes including Parkinson's Disease. The Company has research collaborations with Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital Boston.

Safe Harbor

The foregoing release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements include statements regarding Alseres Pharmaceuticals' future expectations, beliefs, intentions, goals, strategies, plans or prospects regarding the future, including the Company's clinical development and trials for CETHRIN, the prospects of FDA approval of CETHRIN and the commercialization, including partnering opportunities, of CETHRIN. Forward- looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "could increase the likelihood," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is planned," "may," "should," "will," "will enable," "would be expected," "look forward," "may provide," "would" or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of those terms. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including those risks, uncertainties and factors referred to in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the section "Risk Factors," as well as other documents that may be filed by Alseres Pharmaceuticals from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of such risks, uncertainties and factors, the Company's actual results may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements discussed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Alseres Pharmaceuticals is providing the information in this press release as of this date and assumes no obligations to update the information in this press release.

Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
http://www.alseres.com