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All treatments were well tolerated confirming previous observations inhealthy subjects.
While there was no evidence of acute improvement in cognitive function,an observation not unexpected in healthy young subjects who frequentlyperform at an optimum level, the activity of a number of brain regions, knownfor their role as a memory retrieval network, were selectively modifiedduring the performance of certain tasks, as assessed by analysis of thechanges in local cerebral blood flow.
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Analysis of the changes in basal regional cerebral blood flow indicated aselective increase in blood flow in one specific region of the cortex, anarea rich in NMDA receptors which is considered to be significant forindications such as pain and depression. Basal blood flow in other brainareas was unaffected.
These findings represent the first demonstration of effects of EVT 101 onhuman brain function at doses that are well tolerated and predicted to beclinically relevant.
In addition, Evotec has satisfactorily completed dosing of its four weekhigher repeat dose study conducted in France. Encouragingly, initial findingsregarding the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration of EVT 101 assessed in asubgroup receiving EVT 101 showed that the compound demonstrated penetrationinto the CSF at levels predicted to inhibit NR2B receptors to a significantlyhigher amount than memantine at its therapeutic dose in Alzheimer's Disease.
"These data are extremely encouraging. They demonstrate EVT 101penetrates the brain at doses that are well tolerated in man and expected tobe clinically relevant, shows activity in areas relevant to pain and,importantly, modulates the activity of specific brain regions during theperformance of cognitive tasks relevant to Alzheimer's disease", commented DrTim Tasker, Executive Vice President Clinical Development, Evotec AG.
Dr Mitul Mehta, academic lead for the project at the Centre forNeuroimaging Sciences at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College Londonstated: "We have clearly visualised not only a direct, dose dependent effectof the compound on the brain but also an interaction of the drug with taskspertinent to cognitive performance and dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.These exciting new data also bode well for future studies in severalindications of neurological and psychiatric ill health."
Forward looking statements
Information set forth in this report contains forward-looking statements,which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-lookingstatements include, but are not limited to, statements about the anticipatedbenefits of Evotec's products, the timing of the completion of thetransaction between Evotec and Renovis, the anticipated benefits of thebusiness combination transaction involving Evotec and Renovis, includingfuture financial and operating results, the combined company's plans,objectives, expectations and intentions, the anticipated timing and resultsof the combined company's clinical and preclinical programs, and otherstatements that are not historical facts. Evotec cau
