Products in development

Flurizan®  (tarenflurbil) is an investigational drug being studied in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. It is a selective amyloid lowering agent (SALA) that reduces levels of the toxic peptide amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) in cultured human cells and in animal models. Aβ42 is the primary initiator of neurotoxicity and amyloid plaque development in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients.

Partner:
Myriad Genetics, Inc.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease involves a progressive deterioration of human mental faculties. The disease affects a person’s memory, language and logical thinking, and it also has an impact on the ability to perform everyday activities and changes patient behaviour. The disease usually sets in after the age of 60. Certain nerve cells die, causing a gradual reduction of the function in the affected areas of the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease is divided into three stages: mild, moderate and severe. In the late stages of the disease, sufferers will no longer be able to live an independent life and will require nursing care, either at home, in a sheltered home or a nursing home.

Desmoteplase, a novel plasminogen activator, or blood clot-dissolving agent, has the potential to treat patients with acute ischaemic stroke up to 9 hours after onset of symptoms. Ischaemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and occurs when an artery in the brain is obstructed by a blood clot.

Partner
PAION AG (http://www.paion.de/)

Desmoteplase, first in a new class of plasminogen activators, is a genetically engineered version of a clot-dissolving protein found in the saliva of the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus. It possesses high fibrin selectivity, allowing it to dissolve a clot locally without affecting the blood coagulation system, which is thought to potentially reduce the risk of intracranial bleeding (a common risk when administering blood clot-dissolvers) as compared to less fibrin-specific plasminogen activators.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the industrialised world behind heart disease and cancer. The treatment of acute stroke and its serious long-term disabilities currently present an extensive unmet need. The only drug currently approved for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke must be administered within 3 hours after the onset of stroke symptoms, which limits the potential patient population that can safely benefit from the rapid dissolution of the blood clot and the restoration of
blood supply to the affected area of the brain.

The pharmacology of this compound is markedly different from any currently marketed antidepressants. The in vitro pharmacological profile of the compound shows that the compound combines potent effect on several serotonin receptors and serotonin transporter proteins.

Common symptoms of depression are:
• Low mood
• Loss of pleasure or interest
• Loss of energy or increased tiredness

Lu AA24530 was selected as a development candidate based on its convincing effect in preclinical animal models suggesting fast onset of action and increased efficacy in the treatment of depression.

Lu AA39959, invented by Lundbeck’s own scientists, modulates ion channels in the brain via a new mechanism of action. In preclinical models of schizophrenia, the compound has demonstrated a particularly convincing antipsychotic potential.

Schizophrenia is a severe, disabling and, most often, chronic brain disorder with a considerable impact on the patients' quality of life. Furthermore, schizophrenia affects the patients' family, service systems and society as a whole.

As a chronic illness its costs to society are persistent. Schizophrenia is prevalent among a relatively small group of the population, but not least owing to its serious nature, the disease places a disproportionately large economic burden upon society.

Lu AA47070 is a novel adenosine receptor antagonist that has been shown to be efficacious in a number of animal models for neurological diseases including models of Parkinson's disease. It is therefore expected that Lu AA47070 may have a potential in certain neurological indications and could be an alternative to e.g. dopamine agonists in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition. The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is not known and is believed to be multifactorial involving genes, environmental factors and aging.

Parkinson's disease affects men and women equally, and an estimated four million people worldwide suffer from the disease. The disease typically occurs at a late age, affecting approx. 1% of the population over the age of 65.