ANAVEX LIFE SCIENCES + ANAVEX

Anavex Life Sciences has recently announced positive findings from the 48-week, open-label extension of its
phase 2 study, ANAVEX2-73-PDD-EP-001 (NCT04575259), involving Parkinson disease
dementia (PDD) patients. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of
blarcamesine, also known as ANAVEX2-73, a novel investigational agent. 

Despite the trial being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, patients who opted to continue
treatment during the extension phase demonstrated significant improvements in
PDD symptoms. The extension phase was delayed, resulting in a reduced
enrollment rate and a temporary “drug holiday” for participants.
However, at the end of the double-blind period and open-label extension, all
efficacy endpoints, including the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s
Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Parts II and III and Clinical Global
Impression-Improvement (CGI-I), consistently improved upon resuming treatment. 

Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and CEO of Anavex, expressed his encouragement at the consistent
improvement of patients’ clinical symptoms over time during the extension phase
under active blarcamesine treatment. He further emphasized the potential of
blarcamesine to slow down and potentially reverse the life-altering symptoms of
Parkinson’s disease, addressing an urgent unmet need in the global healthcare landscape. 

During the study, researchers observed improvements in various measurements. From the OLE
baseline to week 48, there were notable changes in MDS-UPDRS total score,
CGI-I, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening
Questionnaire. Specifically, patients on blarcamesine exhibited improvements in
MDS-UPDRS Part III scores and combined Part II and III scores. 

Although these promising results should be interpreted with caution due to the study’s small
sample size, they provide valuable insights into the potential of blarcamesine
as a treatment option for Parkinson disease dementia. The positive outcomes
observed in this extension study pave the way for further research and
larger-scale trials to confirm the efficacy and safety of blarcamesine in PDD patients. 

Anavex continues its commitment
to advancing the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders, aiming
to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives through innovative therapeutic
approaches. 

Visit this page on LinkedIn, for additional information. 

Learn more about Anavex on https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/AVXL:US