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Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners is currently evaluating the use ofCPP-109, its version of vigabatrin, for the treatment of both cocaine andmethamphetamine addiction. Two FDA-approved U.S. Phase II clinical trials arecurrently ongoing. CPP-109 is an orally administered, small molecule drugwhich inhibits psychostimulant-induced dopamine release.
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According to the study published in Synapse, a total of 50 adolescent andadult animals, all genetically bred to be obese, were assigned to either acontrol group or groups that received vigabatrin at various dose levels andwere monitored for up to 40 days. The controls received daily salt water(saline) injections, while those in the study groups received up to 300milligrams of vigabatrin per day. All animals received injections for two,7-13 day periods, with breaks in between.
At the end of the 40 day period, all animals receiving vigabatrin weighedsignificantly less than the control subjects. In fact, those animals that werebred to be obese experienced a loss of up to 19 percent of their total weight,while non-obese animals lost 12 to 20 percent of their total weight followingshort-term treatment with vigabatrin. Amy DeMarco of Brookhaven led the studyworking in the laboratory of Brookhaven Lab senior scientist, Stephen Dewey,Ph.D. (Dr. Dewey is the Chairman of Catalyst's Scientific Advisory Board). TheBrookhaven National Laboratory press release may be accessed athttp://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/PR_display.asp?prID=811.
Commenting on today's news, Patrick J. McEnany, Chairman and ChiefExecutive Officer of Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, noted, "We are veryencouraged by this new animal data, which shows the long-term prospects ofusing vigabatrin for the treatment of obesity, which is currently at epidemicproportions in the U.S. In addition to development of CPP-109 for treatmentof cocaine, methamphetamine and other substance addictions, the compoundappears to provide a platform for multiple indications, including as apotential treatment for obsessive compulsive disorders. In fact, aspreviously reported, we are currently seeking to conduct a Phase II clinicaltrial later this year evaluating CPP-109 for the treatment of binge eatingdisorder."
About Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners
Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical companyfocused on the development and commercialization of prescription drugs for thetreatment of addiction and obsessive compulsive disorders. The Company hasobtained from Brookhaven National Laboratory an exclusive worldwide licensefor eleven patents and two patents pending in the United States relating tothe right to use vigabatrin to treat a wide variety of substance addictionsand obsessive compulsive disorders. Catalyst has also been granted rights toBrookhaven's vigabatrin-related foreign patents or patents pending in morethan 30 countries. The Company's initial product candidate is CPP-109, whichis Catalyst's version of vigabatrin. CPP-109 has been granted "Fast Track"status by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment ofcocaine addiction. This indicates that the FDA has recognized that CPP-109 isintended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition forwhich there is no effective treatment and which demonstrates the potential toaddress unmet medical needs. For more information about the Company, pleasevisit www.catalystpharma.com.
This press release con
