Neurogen vergrößert Quartalsverlust um 23% - 500 Beiträge pro Seite | Diskussion im Forum

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Das Biotech-Unternehmen Neurogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NRGN), eröffnete heute sein Finanzergebnis für das 1. Quartal 2000.

Der Netto-Verlust belief sich auf 4,2 Millionen US-Dollar. Dies bedeutet - im Vergleich zum Verlust von 3,4 Millionen Dollar im Vorjahresquartal - eine Erhöhung von 23%. Nicht mit einbezogen wurde eine einmalige Entschädigungszahlung von 6,5 Millionen US-Dollar.

Der Cashbestand des Unternehmens liegt derzeit bei 72 Millionen US-Dollar. Die Umsätze stiegen von 2,6 Millionen auf 2,8 (+7,7%)Millionen US-Dollar.

Die Ausgaben für Forschung und Entwicklung erhöhten sich von 5,8 Millionen auf 6,3 (+8,6%) Millionen US-Dollar.

Neurogen ist auf die Forschung und Entwicklung aussichtsreicher Medikamentkandidaten und Arzneiforschungstools spezialisiert. Deren Entwicklungstool AIDD (Accelerated Intelligent Drug Discovery) wurde an Pfizer lizensiert.

Die Aktie gewinnt heute 5% auf 27 US-Dollar.

[puhvogel]

Auch Pfizer kann sich irren.

Neurogen Corporation Announces Alzheimer`s Disease and Inflammation Clinical Trials Results and Third Quarter 2002 Financial Results
Tuesday November 12, 7:43 am ET


BRANFORD, Conn., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Neurogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NRGN - News), a small molecule drug discovery and development company, today announced preliminary results from a Phase II clinical study of NGD 97-1 for the treatment of Alzheimer`s disease conducted by Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE - News), results of its Phase I clinical trials for NGD 2000-1, Neurogen`s proprietary drug for treatment of inflammatory conditions, and financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002.
Clinical Results
NGD 97-1 (Pfizer compound number CP457,920)
Neurogen Corporation announced that its lead drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer`s disease, NGD 97-1, did not show a therapeutic effect in a Phase II study conducted by Neurogen`s partner, Pfizer Inc. NGD 97-1 selectively reduces the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the memory centers of the brain, improving cognitive function in preclinical animal models. This approach differs from that of drugs currently marketed for the treatment of Alzheimer`s disease. In the double-blind study, approximately 200 Alzheimer`s disease patients
received one of three doses of NGD 97-1 or a placebo or a control drug. Based upon the findings from this study, Neurogen does not expect Pfizer to further advance NGD 97-1.
"While we are disappointed that NGD 97-1 did not work, we recognize that the business of new drug discovery and development is one of high attrition," stated William H. Koster, Neurogen`s President and CEO. "Success in this business requires taking multiple shots on goal. We will continue to advance multiple candidates against multiple targets with breakthrough potential in our broader portfolio."

NGD 2000-1

Neurogen also announced that NGD 2000-1, a C5a receptor antagonist and Neurogen`s proprietary lead drug candidate for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, was safe and well tolerated in single and multiple-ascending dose Phase I studies. In these double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in normal healthy volunteers, steady-state concentrations up to 30 times higher than preclinically defined target concentrations were achieved. Within the tested dose range, Neurogen identified the possibility for NGD 2000-1 to inhibit cytrochrome P450 3A4, a metabolic enzyme inhibited by many existing drugs, as well as by certain foods such as grapefruit juice. This activity could restrict the concurrent use of NGD 2000-1 with other drugs that also are primarily metabolized by this enzyme.

Neurogen expects to explore the efficacy of NGD 2000-1 in multiple Phase II studies for a variety of inflammatory disorders. In the initial Phase II study, Neurogen will examine the ability of NGD 2000-1 to lower the levels of C-reactive Protein (CRP), an important biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Neurogen expects to commence the enrollment of patients in this study by year-end.

"We believe we are the first company in the pharmaceutical industry to advance an oral, small molecule C5a receptor antagonist into human clinical trials," said Dr. Koster. "Our further advancement into important exploratory Phase II studies represents an important milestone for the industry with the potential to open an entirely new line of therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory disorders".

The complement cascade is a key pathway in the immune system that promotes the invasion of inflammatory cells. The body`s immune system is the first line of defense against invading microorganisms. But for millions of people, the immune system also attacks various parts of the body itself, resulting in tissue inflammation, which often leads to the destruction of healthy tissue. NGD 2000-1 is an orally administered drug that blocks the activity of part of the complement system, a property which may be beneficial for patients with a number of inflammatory diseases. Neurogen owns all commercial rights to its C5a program, one of several unpartnered programs within its portfolio.

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