Anavex Life Sciences Reports New Mechanism of Action Data Related to ANAVEX Compounds Targeting Sigma-1 Receptor

NEW YORK, April 03, 2017 -- 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 diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types of cancer, announced today the presentation of new mechanism of action data related to ANAVEX compounds targeting the sigma-1 receptor at the AD/PD^TM 2017 Meeting.

Hall H et al presented preclinical data indicating that during pathological conditions, ANAVEX 3-71 demonstrated the formation of new synapses between neurons (synaptogenesis) without causing an abnormal increase in the number of astrocytes. In neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, synaptogenesis is believed to be impaired.

Goguadze N et al presented preclinical data indicating that in addition to reducing oxidative stress, ANAVEX 2-73, ANAVEX 3-71 and ANAVEX 1-41 also demonstrated protective effects of the mitochondrial enzyme complexes I and IV during pathological conditions. The mitochondrial enzyme complex IV is directly involved in the synthesis of ATP, which provides energy within cells for metabolism. It is believed that energy production impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and neurodevelopmental diseases.

“These new results provide converging evidence on mechanism of action as well as possible disease-modifying properties potentially by restoring homeostasis by means of the sigma-1 receptor agonists in our pipeline. This data also provides a foundation for our ongoing translational research efforts,” said Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex.

Both data sets described that Aβ_1-42 (amyloid beta) significantly impairs biological function in the respective animal models and the observed regain of function confirmed the protective potential of ANAVEX sigma-1 receptor agonists against amyloid beta -induced toxicity. The former presentation further reported that although that the transgenic McGill rats had a very late stage of Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology (13 months of age), treatment with ANAVEX 3-71 fully reversed cognitive deficits, reduced amyloid pathology and also significantly reduced inflammation. Furthermore, the sustained recovery in cognition and pathophysiology observed following a month-long washout phase in advanced pathology (19 months of age) strongly suggests true disease-modifying properties of ANAVEX 3-71.
The respective presentations are available on the Anavex website.

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq:AVXL) is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types of cancer. Anavex’s lead drug candidate, ANAVEX 2-73, recently successfully completed a Phase 2a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease. ANAVEX 2-73 is an orally available drug candidate that restores cellular homeostasis by targeting sigma-1 and muscarinic receptors and successfully completed Phase 1. Preclinical studies demonstrated its potential to halt and/or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease. ANAVEX 2-73 has also exhibited anticonvulsant, anti-amnesic, neuroprotective and anti-depressant properties in animal models, indicating its potential to treat additional CNS disorders, including epilepsy and others. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has awarded Anavex a research grant to develop ANAVEX 2-73 for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease to fully fund a preclinical study, which could justify moving ANAVEX 2-73 into a Parkinson’s disease clinical trial. ANAVEX 3-71, also targeting sigma-1 and M1 muscarinic receptors, is a promising preclinical drug candidate demonstrating disease modifications against the major Alzheimer’s hallmarks in transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice, including cognitive deficits, amyloid and tau pathologies, and also with beneficial effects on neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunctions. Further information is available at www.anavex.com. You can also connect with the company on Twitter, Facebook 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.
Research & Business Development
Toll-free: 1-844-689-3939
Email:  [email protected]

Investors:
Matthew Haines
River East Investor Relations, LLC
917-733-9297
[email protected]

Media:
Dennis Dobson, Jr.
Dobson Media Group
203-258-0159
[email protected]