Lausanne, Switzerland, April 25, 2006 – Debiopharm S.A., the independent drug development company specialising in oncology and serious medical conditions, presented results of two ZT-1 studies at the 9th International Geneva Springfield Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer Therapy.
- The phase I monthly sustained release implant study showed no safety concerns and tolerance was excellent.
- The phase II once-daily oral study of the product demonstrated efficacy and safety.
- Debiopharm is seeking a partner for further development and commercialisation of ZT-1.
After single or repeated subcutaneous injections of ZT-1 implants in healthy volunteers, sustained levels of Huperzine A (Hup A), its active metabolite, were observed up to four weeks. Results of the multicenter, randomised, double-blind, placebo and donepezil-controlled, phase II study of ZT-1 demonstrated efficacy in mild to moderate Alzheimer (AD) patients, according to the AD assessment cognitive sub-scale (ADAS-cog), the Mini mental state examination (MMSE) as well as by the Neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire (NPI-Q). ZT-1 was safe for doses up to 2mg per day.
“ZT-1 is both efficacious and well-tolerated. The prolonged release of monthly treatments would benefit both patients and carers, improving compliance and consequently increasing efficacy, and decreasing the frequency of side effects, such as diarrhoea normally associated with this class of product,” said Jean-Marc Orgogozo, Professor of Neurology at the University of Bordeaux, France and lead investigator of the study.
About ZT-1
ZT-1 is a Hup A derivative (quinolizidine alkaloid) manufactured synthetically. ZT-1 is a differentiated acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChE-I) because of its potency and selectivity. It produces a marked increase in cerebral acetylcholine levels. In addition,
ZT-1 shows neuroprotective effects in in vitro and in vivo models.
About Debiopharm S.A.
Founded in 1979 in Lausanne, Switzerland, Debiopharm is an experienced and competent drug development company that in-licenses compounds with promising in-vivo results to develop for global registration and to out-license to sales and marketing pharmaceutical partners.
Debiopharm is part of a group that provides drug development expertise and know-how from the evaluation of early-stage and innovative research, partnering, financing, pre-clinical and clinical trials, to manufacturing and sophisticated drug-delivery systems.
Debiopharm has developed and registered three products with combined sales in excess of $2.2bn in 2005: Eloxatin®, one of sanofi-aventis’ leading marketed products; Decapeptyl®, the leading product of Ipsen; and Trelstar® (1-and 3-month), marketed by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For more information on Debiopharm, please visit: www.debio.com