Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex: RNN), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing potential best in class oncology and CNS therapeutics, announced the publication of a research article in Drug Development Research (71:351-357, 2010) on the neuroprotective effects of clavulanic acid, the active pharmaceutical ingredient of Serdaxin®, Rexahn's lead CNS therapeutic currently in Phase II clinical trials. The article demonstrates that clavulanic acid protects neurons from neurotoxin-induced brain damage in animal models of human neurodegenerative disease.
In the study, when administered to rodents that were exposed to neurotoxin kainic acid or 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), clavulanic acid protected neurons in the hippocampus and dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, regions of the brain that are critical in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, respectively. These results indicate that clavulanic acid may possess potent neuroprotective effects and warrants further investigation of its therapeutic use in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
"This is a highly encouraging study that establishes the neuroprotective properties of clavulanic acid, the active ingredient in our lead CNS drug candidate, Serdaxin," said Chang Ahn, Chief Executive Officer of Rexahn. "This study adds another dimension to the clinical benefits of Serdaxin. The exciting neuronal protective properties of clavulanic acid make it a highly promising treatment for neuronal cell death diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's."
Parkinson's disease afflicts five million people worldwide, and with the aging of the baby boom generation that population is expected to double by 2030. According to the Alzheimer's Association, by 2050 the number of Americans aged 65 and older with Alzheimer's is projected to reach between 11 million and 16 million - unless medical breakthroughs identify ways to prevent or more effectively treat the disease.
Despite the clinical urgency, currently approved AD and PD drugs only provide symptomatic relief. Therefore, developing disease-modifying therapies is an imperative to control the impending epidemic of these diseases.
Dr. Ahn added, "Clavulanic acid has breakthrough potential of shielding the brain cell survival mechanisms, rather than fighting one-by-one the multitude of triggers that can activate the cell death mechanisms common in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. With at least five major triggers identified for Alzheimer's disease and three major dysfunctioning mechanisms for Parkinson's disease, neuronal protection shown by clavulanic acid may present a better and stronger defense than attempting to intercept each incoming threat."
Source:
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.