NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (“Anavex” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: AVXL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Rett syndrome and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, today announced the appointment of Prof. Dr. Timo Grimmer, MD, to its Scientific Advisory Board. Prof. Dr. Grimmer served as National Coordinating Investigator for the ANAVEX®2-73 (blarcamesine) Phase 2b/3 ANAVEX®2-73-AD-004 study.

Prof. Dr. Grimmer is a board-certified psychiatrist and psychotherapist and an Associate Professor working as a Specialist Registrar at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany. Prof. Dr. Grimmer is head of the Centre for Cognitive Disorders, which specializes in early and differential diagnosis of patients with cognitive impairment. The main focus of Prof. Dr. Grimmer’s research is assessing the usefulness of biomarkers in predicting neurocognitive disorders. He has authored numerous peer reviewed articles, amongst others the first studies that assessed the utility of amyloid PET for differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and to track Alzheimer’s disease progression. In addition, he has served as a national coordinating investigator and as a principal investigator in more than 70 drug trials including all monoclonal antibodies against cerebral amyloid load.

“I’m excited to join Anavex’s Scientific Advisory Board at this time of important growth and evolution of the Company,” said Professor Dr. Grimmer. “There is such a significant unmet medical need around the globe caused by Alzheimer’s disease and patients in the Phase 2b/3 ANAVEX®2-73-AD-004 study performed better even after a year despite the progression of this devastating disease. It would be groundbreaking for patients and their loved ones if healthcare professionals are able to provide a therapeutic which can be taken orally and is generally safe, which the study indicates, ANAVEX®2-73 (blarcamesine) is a likely candidate.”

“We are pleased to welcome Professor Timo Grimmer to Anavex’s Scientific Advisory Board,” stated Christopher U Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex. “Professor Grimmer brings extensive clinical experience in Alzheimer’s disease to Anavex. I look forward to his guidance and contributions assisting our dedicated team in the process of bringing ANAVEX®2-73 (blarcamesine) to patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.”

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: AVXL) is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Rett syndrome, and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain, and various types of cancer. Anavex's lead drug candidate, ANAVEX®2-73 (blarcamesine), has successfully completed a Phase 2a and recently a Phase 2b/3 clinical trial for Alzheimer's disease, a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in Parkinson's disease dementia, and both a Phase 2 and a Phase 3 study in adult patients with Rett syndrome. ANAVEX®2-73 is an orally available drug candidate that restores cellular homeostasis by targeting sigma-1 and muscarinic receptors. Preclinical studies demonstrated its potential to halt and/or reverse the course of Alzheimer's disease. ANAVEX®2-73 also exhibited anticonvulsant, anti-amnesic, neuroprotective, and anti-depressant properties in animal models, indicating its potential to treat additional CNS disorders, including epilepsy. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research previously awarded Anavex a research grant, which fully funded a preclinical study to develop ANAVEX®2-73 for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. ANAVEX®3-71, which targets sigma-1 and M1 muscarinic receptors, is a promising clinical stage drug candidate demonstrating disease-modifying activity against the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease in transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice, including cognitive deficits, amyloid, and tau pathologies. In preclinical trials, ANAVEX®3-71 has shown beneficial effects on mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Further information is available at www.anavex.com. You can also connect with the company on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

For Further Information:
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
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Andrew J. Barwicki
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