CORAL GABLES, Fla., Dec. 2, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPRX) today announced that a poster presentation demonstrating that CPP-115, Catalyst's next-generation GABA aminotransferase inhibitor, suppresses infantile spasms (IS) in the rat multiple-hit model will be made on December 3, 2011 at the American Epilepsy Society's 65th Annual Meeting (AES) to be held December 2-6, 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
The American Epilepsy Society's Annual Meeting is the premiere meeting for epilepsy and other seizure disorders and is an international forum for the exchange of current findings in epilepsy research. The meeting attracts attendees from all over the world and provides educational and networking opportunities for the academic and practicing neurologist, epileptologist, neurophysiologist, neuroscientist, neurosurgeon, internist, pediatrician, pharmacist, nurse, social worker and other professionals.
The poster, entitled "CPP-115, a new GABA transaminase inhibitor, suppresses infantile spasms in the rat multiple-hit model," was authored by Stephen W. Briggs, Tomonori Ono, MD, PhD, Solomon L. Moshé, MD and Aristea S. Galanopoulou, MD, PhD of the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center (CEC) at Montefiore Medical Center / Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York.
About The Study
IS is an infantile epileptic encephalopathy associated with cognitive and behavioral deficits and increased mortality. Vigabatrin (CPP-109), a GABA transaminase inhibitor, is one of the few treatments available for IS. The study tested the efficacy in suppressing spasms and tolerability profile of Catalyst's new vigabatrin analog, CPP-115, in the multiple-hit rat model of ACTH-refractory symptomatic IS (DLP model). This model recreates the spasms, ictal EEG correlates, interictal EEG abnormalities, and neurodevelopmental decline observed in symptomatic infantile spasms observed in babies. In the later stages of development, the rats also develop learning, memory, and autistic like deficits similar to those observed in humans. It is therefore, currently one of the best models available for the evaluation of pharmacotherapies for the treatment of ACTH resistant infantile spasms. In
previous studies, vigabatrin only transiently suppressed spasms in the DLP model (postnatal day 5 (PN5) only), but was associated with increased sedation and consequently mortality due to poor feeding. The poster describes the following study conclusions:
1. CPP-115 suppresses spasms in the multiple-hit model of IS, with onset of effect as early as the day after the first dose.
2. The therapeutic doses of CPP-115 were well tolerated in developing rat pups.
3. CPP-115 showed efficacy at lower doses which were better tolerated than the previously tested therapeutic vigabatrin (CPP-109) doses.
The poster can be viewed on December 3, 2011, between 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM ET (poster number 1.280), with the opportunity to discuss the results of this study with some of the authors from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM ET.
About Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc.
Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of prescription drugs targeting diseases of the central nervous system with a focus on the treatment of addiction and epilepsy. Catalyst has two products in development, and is currently evaluating its lead product and first-in-class GABA aminotransferase inhibitor candidate, CPP-109 (vigabatrin), for the treatment of cocaine addiction. CPP-109 has been granted "Fast Track" status by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cocaine addiction. Catalyst also expects to evaluate CPP-109 for the treatment of other addictions. Catalyst is also developing CPP-115, another GABA aminotransferase inhibitor that is more potent than vigabatrin and has reduced side effects
(e.g., visual field defects, or VFDs) from those associated with vigabatrin. Catalyst is planning to develop CPP-115 for several indications, including drug addiction, epilepsy (initially infantile spasms) and for other selected central nervous disease indications. CPP-115 has been granted orphan-drug designation for the treatment of infantile spasms by the FDA. Catalyst believes that it controls all current intellectual property for drugs that have a mechanism of action related to the inhibition of GABA aminotransferase. For more information about Catalyst, go to www.catalystpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. A number of forward looking statements contained in this press release, including whether CPP-115 will be an effective treatment for IS in humans, whether CPP-115 will ever be approved for commercialization, and other forward looking statements contained in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), may prove to be incorrect, which could adversely affect the Company. Copies of the Company's filings with the SEC are available from the SEC, may be found on the Company's website or may be obtained upon request from the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update
the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.
CONTACT: Patrick J. McEnany
Chief Executive Officer
Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners
(305) 529-2522
pmcenany@catalystpharma.com
Melody Carey
Co-President
Rx Communications Group
(917) 322-2571
mcarey@rxir.com
Source:
Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc.
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