Anavex Life Sciences has announced promising findings from the extension phase of its phase 2 study
assessing ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine) for Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). The
open-label extension (OLE) study spanned 48 weeks and demonstrated significant
improvements in clinical symptoms among participants who resumed treatment. 

The trial faced an initial delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a reduced enrollment rate
and an average “drug holiday” of approximately 41 weeks. Despite
these setbacks, patients who continued into the extension phase showed
consistent improvement in key efficacy endpoints. These endpoints included the
Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS)
Parts II and III, as well as the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale. 

Christopher U. Missling, PhD, president and CEO of Anavex, stated, “It is encouraging that the
patients’ clinical symptoms consistently improved longitudinally over time
during the extension phase under active ANAVEX2-73 treatment.” This
statement underscores the potential of ANAVEX2-73 to address the urgent global
need for effective PDD treatments. 

From the baseline of the OLE to week 48, participants recorded notable improvements in various
clinical measures. This included changes in their MDS-UPDRS total scores and
CGI-I ratings, indicating a positive shift in motor and cognitive functions.
Additionally, secondary endpoints such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire also showed favorable results. 

The initial double-blind phase of the study highlighted significant improvements in
patients on high-dose blarcamesine compared to the placebo group. Patients on
blarcamesine experienced a relative improvement of 18.9% in MDS-UPDRS total
scores over 14 weeks. 

These findings provide a strong foundation for Anavex Life Sciences as it moves forward with
its forthcoming 6-month PD study. The potential benefits of ANAVEX2-73 could mark a significant breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
dementia, offering hope for improved quality of life for patients worldwide. 

Read this article for more information. 

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