Anavex Life Sciences has announced encouraging findings from the long-term extension of its Phase 2
study evaluating ANAVEX®2-73 in patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia. The
48-week open-label extension study has demonstrated that ANAVEX®2-73 not only
met but exceeded its primary and secondary objectives. 

The study, ANAVEX2-73-PDD-EP-001, aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy
of ANAVEX®2-73 over an extended period. According to preliminary data, patients
exhibited significant improvement in key efficacy endpoints, including the
Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS)
and the Clinical Global Impression – Improvement (CGI-I) scale. 

Remarkably, the study found that patients who resumed ANAVEX®2-73 treatment after a drug
holiday continued to show improvement. This is particularly noteworthy,
considering the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a delay
in the study’s extension phase. 

ANAVEX®2-73 is an orally-administered small molecule that activates the sigma-1 receptor
(SIGMAR1). The activation of SIGMAR1 is believed to play a crucial role in
restoring neural cell homeostasis and promoting neuroplasticity, mechanisms
that are vital for treating neurodegenerative diseases. 

Anavex plans to move forward with a pivotal 6-month study to further
evaluate ANAVEX®2-73 in Parkinson’s disease. This comes on the heels of a
previous double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study that also reported
significant improvements in patients receiving ANAVEX®2-73 compared to those on placebo. 

Dr. Christopher U Missling, President and CEO of Anavex Life Sciences, expressed optimism about the findings, citing the
potential of ANAVEX®2-73 to meet the urgent, unmet medical needs of Parkinson’s
disease patients globally. 

The promising results have prompted further treatment under compassionate use programs,
enabling patients to continue benefitting from the drug beyond the study
period. With the support of organizations like The Michael J. Fox Foundation,
Anavex is well-positioned to advance its research and deliver impactful
treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Read this article for additional information. 

  

Learn more about Anavex on https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/anavex-life-sciences-reports-fiscal-2024-first-quarter-financial-results-and-provides-business-update/