Amorfix Chief Scientific Officer to Present at the New Genes, Potential Treatments and Models for ALS Drug Development Conference
TSX: AMF
TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd, a product development company developing therapeutic products and diagnostics for the treatment of misfolded protein diseases, announced today that Dr. Neil Cashman, the company's Chief Scientific Officer and founder, will be a lead presenter at the 8th Annual ALS Therapy Development Institute's Leadership Summit being held on November 1, 2012 in Boston, MA. Dr. Cashman will present a state-of-the-art overview of the therapeutic options and challenges facing neurologists for the early diagnosis and treatment of ALS patients.
"We are very pleased that Dr. Cashman is participating in this International meeting of ALS experts. The presentation will include highlights of Amorfix's cutting edge science for new diagnostics and therapeutics for the early diagnosis and treatment of ALS", said Dr. Robert Gundel, Amorfix President and Chief Executive Officer.
Amorfix is committed to developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics for ALS. The Company has developed antibodies against misfolded SOD1 for the treatment of ALS which it has licensed to Biogen Idec for the development of antibody therapeutics and to Pan Provincial Vaccine Enterprise (PREVENT) for the development of vaccine applications. Both of these programs are currently in preclinical development. In addition, the Company is developing a blood test to be used as a diagnostic tool for the early detection of ALS, based on the detection and measurement of misfolded SOD1 present in plasma.
About ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. People living with the disease become progressively paralyzed due to degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Eighty per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of diagnosis; unable to breathe or swallow. Ten per cent of those affected may live for 10 years or longer.
About Amorfix
Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. (TSX:AMF) is a product development company developing therapeutic products and diagnostic devices targeting misfolded protein diseases including Alzheimer's Disease (AD), cancers, and ALS. Amorfix utilizes its computational discovery platform, ProMIS™, to predict novel Disease Specific Epitopes ("DSEs") on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Amorfix's lead programs include therapeutics and companion diagnostics for cancers, antibodies and vaccines to DSEs in ALS and AD diagnostic tests. In addition, Amorfix's proprietary Epitope Protection™ technology enables it to specifically identify very low levels of misfolded proteins in a biological sample. The Company's diagnostic programs include an ultrasensitive method for the detection of aggregated beta-Amyloid in brain tissue, CSF and blood from animal models of AD, months prior to observable amyloid formation, and development of a human screening test for AD and mild cognitive impairment. For more information about Amorfix, visit www.amorfix.com.
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information 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, unless required by law.
ProMIS™, Epitope Protection™ and AMFIA™ are trademarks of Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd.
SOURCE: Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd.
For further information:
Dr. Robert Gundel
President and Chief Executive Officer
Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd.
Tel: (416) 847-6957
Fax: (416) 847-6899
[email protected]
Janet Clennett
Chief Financial Officer
Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd.
Tel: (416) 847-6926
Fax: (416) 847-6899
[email protected]
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