Neurologix says preclinical studies show Neuropeptide Y reduces seizures caused by epilepsy

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Dec. 6 - Neurologix, Inc. announced Tuesday results from preclinical studies that showed Neuropeptide Y gene transfer reduces spontaneous seizures in an in vivo model of epilepsy as well as positively influences the fundamental biological process that leads to a chronically epileptic state.

Neurologix's approach is based on the use of the non-pathogenic adeno-associated virus vector, delivered using standard neurosurgical techniques, according to a company news release.

This same adeno-associated virus vector-based approach has been used successfully in the clinic with Parkinson's Disease. The company announced in September positive interim results of its landmark clinical trial in patients with that debilitating disease, officials said.

Neuropeptide Y, a 36-amino acid peptide that acts to dampen excessive excitatory activity, prevents seizures in multiple models. These findings were recently presented at the recent American Epilepsy Society conference, officials said.

"In addition to our ongoing clinical program in Parkinson's, for which initial results have been successful, we are now targeting a second disease with a broad impact, which affects hundreds of thousands of patients in the United States alone," Michael Sorell, chief executive officer of Neurologix, said in the release.

Neurologix is a Fort Lee, N.J., development-stage company, which through its subsidiary, Neurologix Research, Inc., is engaged in development of proprietary treatments for disorders of the brain and central nervous system, primarily utilizing gene therapies.

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