SAN DIEGO, Feb 21, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ —ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.(Nasdaq: ACAD), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing innovative technology tofuel drug discovery and clinical development of novel treatments for centralnervous system disorders, today announced that it has nominated anon-steroidal and selective androgen receptor agonist, ACP-105, as adevelopment candidate. ACADIA also announced that it has advanced its programbased on the discovery of novel compounds that selectively block thecannabinoid CB1 receptor into preclinical status.
"We are excited about the opportunity to drive forward the development ofACP-105, our first clinical candidate to target a nuclear hormone receptor,and by the rapid advancement of our CB1 preclinical program," said Mark R.Brann, Ph.D., ACADIA's President and Chief Scientific Officer. "This isanother demonstration of the strength of our drug discovery engine that hassuccessfully generated four clinical programs, a deep portfolio of preclinicaland discovery assets, and novel chemistries for more than 100 G-proteincoupled and nuclear receptors."
ACP-105, a non-steroidal and selective androgen receptor agonist
ACP-105 selectively activates the androgen receptor and is considered tobe a part of a class of small molecules referred to as SARMs, or selectiveandrogen receptor modulators. SARMs may advance the standard of treatment fora wide variety of disorders including muscle-wasting conditions andosteoporosis, with improved tolerability and fewer side effects as compared tocurrent treatments based on testosterone replacement. ACP-105 has reversedendocrine and bone-related markers of testosterone deficiency in preclinicalanimal testing, with little effect on the prostrate, thereby demonstratingtissue specificity in its actions. Additionally, ACP-105 has exhibitedpromising pharmacological properties and a favorable safety profile inpreclinical testing. ACADIA has initiated development of ACP-105 and intendsto conduct toxicology and other testing in preparation for potential clinicaltrials.
CB1 Program
ACADIA scientists have discovered structurally novel lead compounds thatpotently and selectively block the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. The CB1receptor is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system and plays akey role in regulating appetite and other reward-based behaviors. Blockade ofthe CB1 receptors may lead to novel treatments for obesity and substanceabuse. CB1 receptor antagonists may also be useful in the treatment ofdisorders associated with cognitive deficits. ACADIA is currently in anadvanced stage of lead optimization with proprietary compounds that are potentand selective for the CB1 receptor, active following oral dosing inpreclinical models, and well tolerated at high doses.
About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
ACADIA is a biopharmaceutical company utilizing innovative technology tofuel drug discovery and clinical development of novel treatments for centralnervous system disorders. ACADIA currently has four drug programs in clinicaldevelopment as well as a portfolio of preclinical and discovery assetsdirected at large unmet medical needs, including schizophrenia, Parkinson'sdisease, neuropathic pain, and glaucoma. All of the drug candidates inACADIA's product pipeline emanate from discoveries made using its proprietarydrug discovery platform. ACADIA's corporate headquarters is located in SanDiego, California and it maintains research and development operations in bothSan Diego and Malmo, Sweden.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical innature are forward-looking statements. These statements include but are notlimited to statements related to the progress and timing of ACADIA's drugdiscovery and development programs and related clinical trials, the safety andefficacy of ACADIA's drug candidates, and the benefits to be derived fromACADIA's technology, approach, and drug candidates, in each case, includingACP-105 and the compounds in the CB1 program. These statements are onlypredictions based on current information and expectations and involve a numberof risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materiallyfrom those projected in any of such statements due to various factors,including the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug discovery, developmentand commercialization, collaborations with others and litigation. For adiscussion of these and other factors, please refer to ACADIA's annual reporton Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the United StatesSecurities and Exchange Commission as well as other subsequent filings withthe Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place unduereliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the datehereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the PrivateSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements arequalified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ACADIA undertakesno obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events orcircumstances after the date hereof.
Contacts:
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Lisa Barthelemy, Director, Investor Relations
Thomas Aasen, Chief Financial Officer
(858) 558-2871