Anavex Life Sciences (NASDAQ:AVXL) has reported positive data for ANAVEX 2-73 in an exploratory study in a Fragile X syndrome model presented at the Gordon Research Conference for Fragile X and Autism-Related Disorder in Mount Snow, VT.
Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and the most frequent single gene cause of autism.
The ANAVEX 2-73 data in an array of behavioral paradigms in a validated mouse model of Fragile X is very encouraging, Dr. Michael Tranfaglia, medical director and CSO of FRAXA Research Foundation, said in a statement.
He said the results are promising for both Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders, since there is an overlap in the clinical as well as in the underlying molecular pathology of the two disorders.
Dosing of ANAVEX 2-73 for 14 days in a Fragile X syndrome mouse model was followed by a battery of behavioral tests that are linked to pathophysiological signs of autism-related disorders and Fragile X syndrome: hyper-locomotion, associative learning, and marble burying. Treatment with ANAVEX 2-73 significantly improved all behaviors tested.
“Our previous results in Rett syndrome, together with the new data in another neurodevelopmental disorder, Fragile X, support our hypothesis that ANAVEX 2-73 has a mechanism of action that could be of interest to investigate clinically in rare disorders like Rett syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and other autism spectrum disorders, in addition to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease,” said Christopher Missling, president and CEO of Anavex.
