Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. ("Neptune") announced today the second preclinical research up-date on Acasti Pharma Inc. ("Acasti") drug development program.
Acasti announces the results of preclinical research designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) drug candidate, CaPre(TM). The efficacy of CaPre(TM) on dyslipidemia was evaluated on Zucker Diabetic Fatty, a diseased rat phenotype, characterized with established type 2 diabetes, glucose intolerance and severe dyslipidemia, particularly elevated triglycerides and cholesterol. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of chronic daily treatment with human equivalent daily dosing of 500mg and 2,500mg, CaPre(TM) was shown to significantly increase High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C or "good cholesterol") by 40% at the lower dose and by up to 61% at higher dose after 3 months treatment in those severely affected rats.
"These results show that CaPre(TM) could be effectively used in patients with metabolic syndrome and /or lipid disorders which remain a currently unmet medical need," said Dr. Farhad Amiri, Associate-Director for preclinical studies at Acasti. "Acasti is well on its way in building a solid scientific background for its first drug candidate while moving toward the submission of our first IND," said Dr. Tina Sampalis, President of Acasti.
"These positive preclinical results with those previously released in other animal models repeatedly demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our API. Additional preclinical research studies are completed and more are underway that will come to further support Acasti and from NeuroBioPharm Inc. programs in the near future." added Dr. Sampalis.
About Neptune
Neptune is an industry-recognized leader in the innovation, production and formulation of science-based and clinically proven novel phospholipid products for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets. The Company focuses on growing consumer health markets including cardiovascular, inflammatory and neurological diseases driven by consumers taking a more proactive approach to managing health and preventing disease. The Company sponsors clinical trials aimed to demonstrate its product health benefits and to obtain regulatory approval for label health claims. Neptune is continuously expanding its intellectual property portfolio as well as clinical studies and regulatory approvals. Neptune's products are marketed and distributed in over 20 countries worldwide.
About Acasti Pharma Inc
Acasti Pharma is developing a product portfolio of proprietary novel long-chain omega-3 phospholipids. Phospholipids are the major component of cell membranes and are essential for all vital cell processes. They are one of the principal constituents of High Density Lipoprotein (good cholesterol) and, as such, play an important role in modulating cholesterol efflux. Acasti Pharma's proprietary novel phospholipids carry and functionalize the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have been shown to have substantial health benefits and which are stabilized by potent antioxidants. Acasti Pharma is focusing initially on treatments for chronic cardiovascular conditions within the over-the-counter, medical food and prescription drug markets.
About NeuroBioPharm
NeuroBioPharm is pursuing pharmaceutical neurological applications, and a clinical study for a medical food product with a multinational partner is already initiated. The development of a prescription drug candidate is currently in progress. Advanced clinical development and commercialization is planned to be carried out with multinational partners.
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