Anavex Life Sciences Announces First Patient Dosed in EXCELLENCE Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial of ANAVEX2-73 (Blarcamesine) in Patients with Rett Syndrome

NEW YORK, July 01, 2020 (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 diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Rett syndrome and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, today announced that the first patient was dosed in the EXCELLENCE Phase 2/3 ANAVEX2-73-RS-003 clinical trial for the treatment of Rett syndrome with ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine).

The Phase 2/3 study will use a convenient once-daily oral liquid ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine) formulation to treat Rett syndrome. Safety and efficacy will be investigated in at least 69 patients over a 12-week treatment period including ANAVEX2-73-specific precision medicine biomarkers. All patients who participate in the study will be eligible to receive ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine) under a voluntary open label extension protocol.

This represents the 3^rd ongoing clinical study in Anavex’s Rett Syndrome Program: U.S. RTT (ANAVEX2-73-RS-001)¹, AVATAR (ANAVEX2-73-RS-002)² and EXCELLENCE (ANAVEX2-73-RS-003)³.
ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine) had previously received Fast Track designation, Rare Pediatric Disease designation and Orphan Drug designation from the FDA for the treatment of Rett syndrome.

For parents who wish to learn more about the EXCELLENCE pediatric Phase 2/3 Rett syndrome clinical study, please visit the website, www.rettsyndrometrial.com.

Rett Syndrome Association of Australia (RSAA) will make the necessary bookings and pay for them directly so as not to burden and leave participants and their families out of pocket for major expenses whilst directly participating in the EXCELLENCE trial. Please contact Claude Buda, RSAA President, directly by phone or email for any inquiries:

Claude Buda, RSAA President
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

“We are delighted to expand the ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine) treatment program for Rett syndrome to include pediatric patients. This is the 3^rd ongoing clinical study within the Anavex Rett syndrome program,” said Christopher U Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex. “In addition to Rett syndrome, Anavex has ongoing clinical development programs for ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease⁴ and Parkinson’s disease dementia⁵.”