Anavex Life Sciences has announced promising findings from the 48-week, open-label extension of its
phase 2 study involving ANAVEX2-73, also known as blarcamesine, in patients
with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Despite interruptions due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the study revealed significant improvements in clinical
symptoms among participants. 

During the study, patients exhibited consistent progress in key efficacy endpoints, such as the
Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS)
Parts II and III, and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I). These
improvements were observed when patients resumed treatment with blarcamesine
after a “drug holiday” caused by the pandemic-related delays. 

Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and CEO of Anavex, stated, “These findings underscore ANAVEX2-73’s potential to address
the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease dementia, which remain a
critical unmet need worldwide.” 

From the baseline of the open-label extension to the 48-week mark, the study recorded a decrease
of –2.25 points in MDS-UPDRS total score and a reduction of –0.7 points in
CGI-I. Additionally, patients showed improvements in cognitive assessments and
sleep behavior. Specifically, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores improved
by –1.2 points, and the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire
scores decreased by –0.524 points. 

The original phase 2 study included 132 patients with PDD who were randomized to receive either 30
mg, 50 mg of blarcamesine, or a placebo. The double-blind period showed that
those on high-dose blarcamesine experienced an improvement of –10.98 points in
MDS-UPDRS total score, contrasting with a decline in the placebo group. 

The outcomes of this study have led to a compassionate use Special Access Scheme, allowing
continued treatment for participants. Anavex Life Sciences plans to use these
results to inform their upcoming 6-month Parkinson’s disease study, focusing on
primary and key secondary endpoints.  

Anavex continues to advance its research in neurodegenerative diseases, and these
findings mark a significant step forward in understanding and potentially
treating Parkinson’s disease dementia. 

Visit this page on LinkedIn, for related information. 

Find more information about Anavex Life Sciences on https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/AVXL/