SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 9, 2012--
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD), a biopharmaceutical company
focused on innovative treatments that address unmet medical needs in
neurological and related central nervous system disorders, today
announced results of preclinical studies, which suggest that
pimavanserin, ACADIA’s proprietary product candidate currently in Phase
III development for Parkinson’s disease psychosis, also may have
therapeutic benefits in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease psychosis
(ADP). Results of these studies were published in the scientific
journal, Behavioural Pharmacology (Price et al., “Pimavanserin, a
5-HT2A Receptor Inverse Agonist, Reverses Psychosis-like
Behaviors in a Rodent Model of Alzheimer’s Disease,” July 2012 e-pub).
ACADIA scientists reported results of experiments using mice that had
received intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of an amyloid β peptide
fragment and developed Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology. These animals
developed psychosis-like behaviors with enhanced responses to the
psychostimulants DOI and amphetamine as well as disrupted prepulse
inhibition. Treatment with pimavanserin prevented DOI-induced responses,
reversed the augmented responses to amphetamine, and normalized prepulse
inhibition in animals with amyloid pathology. These findings suggest
that 5-HT2A antagonists/inverse agonists, such
as pimavanserin, may be effective in the treatment of patients with ADP.
“ADP represents a major unmet medical need with no proven safe and
effective therapy,” said Uli Hacksell, Ph.D., ACADIA’s Chief Executive
Officer. “Physicians often resort to off-label use of antipsychotic
medications in patients with ADP despite their association with
increased mortality and potential worsening of cognitive disturbances.
These new findings suggest that pimavanserin may be ideally suited to
address the need for a new ADP treatment that is safe, effective and
well tolerated.”
About Alzheimer’s Disease Psychosis
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by
progressive deterioration in cognitive functioning, memory
abnormalities, and a host of behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.4 million people in the
United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease. An estimated 25 to 50
percent of Alzheimer’s patients may develop Alzheimer’s disease
psychosis (ADP), which commonly consists of disturbing visual
hallucinations and delusions. ADP is associated with greater cognitive
impairment, more rapid disease progression, lower quality of life,
greater caregiver burden, and earlier institutionalization. Currently,
there is no therapy approved to treat ADP in the United States.
About Pimavanserin
Pimavanserin is ACADIA’s proprietary small molecule that acts
selectively as an antagonist/inverse agonist on serotonin 5-HT2A
receptors and is in Phase III development as a potential first-in-class
treatment for Parkinson’s disease psychosis. Pimavanserin can be taken
orally as a tablet once-a-day. ACADIA discovered and holds worldwide
rights to pimavanserin.
About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
ACADIA is a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative treatments
that address unmet medical needs in neurological and related central
nervous system disorders. ACADIA has four product candidates in clinical
development led by pimavanserin, which is in Phase III development as a
potential first-in-class treatment for Parkinson's disease psychosis.
ACADIA’s other clinical-stage products include collaborative programs
for chronic pain and glaucoma with Allergan, Inc. and a collaborative
program for schizophrenia with Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. In addition,
ACADIA has preclinical programs directed at Parkinson’s disease and
other neurological disorders. All of ACADIA’s product candidates are
small molecules that emanate from discoveries made using its proprietary
drug discovery platform. ACADIA maintains a website at www.acadia-pharm.com
to which ACADIA regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as
additional information and through which interested parties can
subscribe to receive email alerts.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in
nature are forward-looking statements. These statements include but are
not limited to statements related to the progress of ACADIA’s drug
discovery and development programs, either alone or with a partner, and
the benefits to be derived from ACADIA’s product candidates, including
in each case pimavanserin. 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 and uncertainties inherent in drug discovery,
development and commercialization, and collaborations with others, and
the fact that past results of clinical trials may not be indicative of
future trial results. For a discussion of these and other factors,
please refer to ACADIA’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2011 as well as ACADIA’s subsequent filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date hereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All
forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement and ACADIA undertakes no obligation to revise or
update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the
date hereof, except as required by law.
Source: ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Uli Hacksell, Ph.D., Chief
Executive Officer
(858) 558-2871
