Blarcamesine, Developed by Anavex Life Sciences, Shows Promise in Phase 2 Extension Study
Anavex Life Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of developing innovative
therapies for neurological disorders, has announced positive findings from the
48-week, open-label extension of its phase 2 study of ANAVEX2-73, also known as
blarcamesine. The investigational agent has demonstrated both safety and
efficacy in patients with Parkinson disease dementia (PDD).
Despite a delay in the start of the extension phase due to the COVID-19 pandemic, patients who
opted to continue treatment with blarcamesine showed significant improvements
in PDD symptoms over the course of 48 weeks. The primary and secondary efficacy
endpoints, including the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease
Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Parts II and III, as well as the Clinical Global
Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale, consistently improved when patients resumed treatment.
Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and CEO of Anavex Life Sciences, expressed his optimism about the results, stating,
“It is encouraging that the patients’ clinical symptoms consistently
improved longitudinally over time during the extension phase under active
ANAVEX2-73 treatment.” These findings suggest the potential of blarcamesine
to not only slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease but also
potentially reverse its debilitating symptoms. This is particularly significant
considering the urgent need for effective treatments in this patient population.
The data from the extension study showed a change of -2.25 in MDS-UPDRS total score and -0.7 in
CGI-I from baseline to week 48. In addition, there were mean changes of -1.2 in
Montreal Cognitive Assessment and -0.524 in REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening
Questionnaire at this time point. Specific MDS-UPDRS scores also demonstrated
improvement, with mean changes of -3.95 in Part III scores and -2.20 in
combined Part II and III scores.
These positive results in the phase 2 extension study build upon previous findings that
highlighted blarcamesine’s impact on increasing sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1) mRNA
expression, which correlated with cognitive and motor improvements. The
potential of blarcamesine to address the unmet needs of patients with Parkinson
disease dementia is promising, and further studies are eagerly awaited.
Anavex to conduct a 6-month study focusing on the primary and secondary efficacy
endpoints observed in the phase 2 extension study. With its dedication to
developing innovative therapies for neurological disorders, Anavex continues to
make strides in improving the lives of patients with Parkinson’s disease and
other related conditions.
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Learn more about Anavex on https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/AVXL/
