Amorfix A(4) Assay Provides New Insights Into Alzheimer's Disease
Pre-clinical Development Mouse Models
- Amorfix Quantifies Rate of Accumulation of Amyloid in Seven Mouse Models of AD -
TSX: AMF
TORONTO, July 12 /CNW/ - Amorfix Life Sciences, a company focused on treatments and diagnostics for misfolded protein diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), has used its A(4) test to compare the rate of accumulation of aggregated Abeta in the brain tissue of various mouse models of AD. Amorfix presented this new data at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD 2010) this week.
The paper presented by Amorfix entitled "Early Detection of Beta-Amyloid Aggregation in In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Alzheimer's Disease" characterized seven different AD mouse models by quantitatively measuring the beta-amyloid (Abeta) aggregates in brain tissue from animals 1 month to 14 months of age. The accumulation of Abeta is the hallmark of AD in humans, and a number of cell-culture and animal models have been developed to mimic AD pathology. The A(4) (Amorfix Aggregated Abeta Assay) was developed to provide a quantitative method for detection of aggregated species of Abeta.
"The utility of the A(4) test to answer scientific questions continues to grow rapidly. These new findings will provide researchers with the ability to assess drug effects at critical time points when aggregation is high or low or accelerating in mouse models of AD", said Dr. Louise Scrocchi, Senior Scientist of Amorfix. "The A(4) can also be used for quantification of pyroglutamate (pGlu) modified Abeta peptides which are major constituents of amyloid deposits in both sporadic and inherited AD, and make better drug targets than do the full-length versions. A growing number of researchers are now focusing on this modified peptide as a target for drug discovery."
The A(4) can be used for the specific quantification of aggregated Abeta 1-42 in tissue culture. This will allow for high-throughput screening for selection of lead compounds to use for pre-clinical AD trials in animals. Amorfix offers the A(4) test as a service to AD researchers worldwide and recently partnered with reMYND of Belgium to provide the A(4) to their contract research organization clients.
"We are pleased to show the AD research community the versatility of the A(4) and its ability to detect and monitor the accumulation of aggregated Abeta in a variety of models. The sensitivity of A(4) which allows us to detect aggregated Abeta as early as one month of age in these models supports our continued development of a human blood or spinal fluid test for AD." said Dr. Robert Gundel, Chief Executive Officer of Amorfix.
About A(4)
The Amorfix A(4) is an ultrasensitive method for the detection of aggregated Abeta that provides quantitative measurements of aggregates. The A(4) can detect aggregates in tissue and plasma from animal models of AD several months before conventional procedures thereby accelerating the preclinical screening of new drugs for AD. The A(4) is significantly more sensitive than current methods for detecting total Abeta and can be used in high-throughput applications designed to study the inhibition of amyloid formation.
About Amorfix
Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. (TSX:AMF) is a theranostics company developing therapeutic products and diagnostic devices targeting misfolded protein diseases including ALS, cancers, and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Amorfix utilizes its computational discovery platform, ProMIS(TM), to predict novel Disease Specific Epitopes ("DSE") on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Amorfix's lead programs include therapeutics and companion diagnostics for cancers and antibodies and vaccines to DSEs in ALS and AD. Amorfix's proprietary technology enables it to specifically identify very low levels of misfolded proteins in a sample. The Company's diagnostic programs include an ultrasensitive method for the detection of aggregated beta-Amyloid in brain tissue and blood from animal models of AD, months prior to observable amyloid formation, and a blood screening test for liver cancer. For more information about Amorfix, visit www.amorfix.com.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release may contain certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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For further information: For further information: Dr. Robert Gundel, President & Chief Executive Officer, Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd., Tel: (416) 847-6957, Fax: (416) 847-6899, [email protected]; James Parsons, Chief Financial Officer, Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd., Tel: (416) 847-6929, Fax: (416) 847-6899, [email protected]
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