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12 Mar 2009 07:00
For immediate release 12 March 2009
ReGen Therapeutics Plc
ReGen announces successful first stage of peptide studies for Alzheimer's disease and obesity
ReGen Therapeutics Plc ("ReGen" or the "Company"), (AIM: RGT) announced in the Autumn of 2007 that a microarray analysis of peptides derived from Colostrinin™ at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), had shown that certain peptides had a capacity to change gene expression in areas involved in obesity and Alzheimer's disease. It was therefore decided to explore certain peptides further with a view to developing them to the status of pre-clinical candidates. ReGen can now announce the success of the first stage.
Alzheimer's disease
In an in-vitro study using neuronal cells two synthetic peptides (RG-01 and RG-018) have shown significant impact on expression of genes involved in beta-amyloid generation and degradation pathways. Controlling beta-amyloid generation could have important implication in Alzheimer's disease. Currently the efficacy of these peptides is being evaluated in an in-vivo study using a humanised APP knock-in mouse model.
Anti-obesity
In an in-vivo study on obesity Colostrinin™, as well as three peptides in combination, have been shown to significantly reduce the body weight gain of mice when fed a high fat diet (HFD). Brief scientific details are available in Note 1.
Commenting on these findings ReGen Chairman and CEO Percy Lomax said 'These preliminary results are very encouraging. Although they need to be confirmed and further evaluated they seem to support our long held belief that peptides derived from Colostrinin may have utility as pharmaceutical or nutraceutical compounds in their own right. Alzheimer's is a poorly treated disease and obesity is becoming a much larger problem in the developed world. Studies continue but we are in early stage discussions with a potential development partner for the commercial development of the peptides.'
Note 1: Ten months of feeding mice with HFD resulted in a significant increase in body weight compared with mice kept on a regular diet (p< 0.001). Colostrinin administration to mice fed with HFD resulted in a significantly lower body weight (p < 0.001). When administered separately, three peptides (RG-02, RG-09 and RG-018) had no significant effect. However, administration of these three peptides in combination resulted in a significantly lower body weight gain (p
For further information, please contact:
Percy Lomax
ReGen Therapeutics Plc
Tel: 020 7153 4920
Roland Cornish/Felicity Geidt
Beaumont Cornish Limited
Tel No 020 7628 3396
David Scott/Nick Bealer
Alexander David Securities Limited
Tel: 020 7448 9820
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