Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease: The crucial role of QC
Probiodrug Announces Top-Line Results of the First Clinical Study of PQ912 for Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Halle/Saale, Germany, November 9, 2011 — Probiodrug AG (Probiodrug), a biotech company developing novel products for the treatment of neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases with a particular focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), today announced that its innovative research on the onset of AD and its consequences for novel treatment options will be endorsed by a series of posters and presentations at this year’s Society for Neuroscience’s Neuroscience 2011 annual meeting, on November 12-16, in Washington, D.C.
The new results from Probiodrug’s laboratories in Halle (Saale) and at Ingenium GmbH in Munich, Germany, as well as results from its collaborations with academic institutions in California and Massachusetts, U.S.A. will be presented at the conference.
“Probiodrug continues to be a pioneer in AD research and delineating the role of pyroglutamated amyloid (pEAβ or pGluAβ) in AD pathology,” said Hans-Ulrich Demuth, chief scientific officer of Probiodrug. “The data provides additional evidence of pEAβ’s role in AD as well as an example of the increasing attention by investigators in the field.”
Sun, Nov 13, 10:30 – 10:45 AM
Oral Presentation 118.11 – New animal models validate pyroGlu Aβ as target in Alzheimer’s disease
H.-U. Demuth et al, Probiodrug AG, Halle (Saale), Ingenium Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Munich-Martinsried, Germany – Nanosymposium 118. APP/Aβ: Animal Models
Tue, Nov 15, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Poster# 713.05/VV62 – Characterization of glutaminyl cyclase (QC, isoQC) knock-out mice: Role of N-pyroglutamated neuropeptide maturation in HPT and HPG axis
S. Schilling et al, Probiodrug AG, Halle (Saale), Ingenium Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Munich and Univ. of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany – Poster Session 713. Puberty, Kisspeptin, LH Release, Ovulation, and Seasonality
Wed, Nov 16, 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Poster# 768.06/E36 – Pyroglutamate forms of β-amyloid peptides with glutaminyl cyclase in neurotransmitter secretory vesicles: Relevance to Alzheimer’s disease
L. M. Funkelstein et al, Skaggs Sch. Pharm., UCSD, LA JOLLA, CA and Probiodrug AG, Halle (Saale), Germany – Poster Session 768. Aβ: Cellular Models
Wed, Nov 16, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Poster# 770.04/K1 – Prophylactic and therapeutic passive immunization against pyroglutamate Aβ in young and aged AD-like transgenic mice.
J. L. Frost et al, Ctr. for Neurologic Dis., Brigham and Women’s Hosp. and Harvard Med. Sch., NeuroBehavior Lab., Harvard Med. Sch., Boston, MA and Probiodrug AG, Halle (Saale), Germany – Poster Session 770. Anti-Aβ Treatments
About Probiodrug AG
Probiodrug is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of small molecule drugs against novel molecular targets for the treatment of neuronal- and inflammatory diseases. The Company has a dominant position in the area of glutaminyl cyclase inhibition. Glutaminyl cyclase, a novel enzyme target discovered and patented by Probiodrug, has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as well as various peripheral inflammatory diseases.
Probiodrug is backed by institutions such as BB Biotech, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners, Goodvent/IBG, HBM, TVM, Life Sciences Partners, Biogen Idec Ventures, CFH Group and private investors.
Probiodrug’s core capabilities are based on its long-standing expertise in the elucidation of the structure and function of enzymes which play a central role in the maturation of hormones. The Company has pioneered the field of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DP4)-inhibition for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Compounds and technology patents of its DP4 program in diabetes were licensed to various pharmaceutical companies. In 2004, all metabolic assets were sold to (OSI) Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The first drug based on Probiodrug`s technologies reached the market in late 2006. Proceeds of the various transactions have been reinvested to fund the novel approach for the treatment of AD and inflammatory diseases.
The Company was founded in 1997 by Prof Dr Hans-Ulrich Demuth and Dr Konrad Glund. Probiodrug has raised EUR 56 mio for its QC program. For more information, please visit www.probiodrug.de.
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Company Contact:
Kumar Srinivasan, Ph.D.
CBO
Probiodrug
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kumar.srinivasan@probiodrug.de
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