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CPT commits to the developmen
CPT commits to the developmen.
About this update from Ixico Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n RNS Number : 6655R Phytopharm PLC 05 May 2009 \n \nThe Cure Parkinson's Trust confirms its commitment to the development of Cogane for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease\n \nCPT commits to hosting a Key Opinion Leader Event to expediate the development of Cogane\n\n\nGODMANCHESTER, Cambridgeshire, U.K. (05 May 2009) - Phytopharm plc (LSE: PYM) ('Phytopharm' or the 'Company') announces today that the The Cure Parkinson's Trust (CPT) has commited to supporting the development of Cogane™ as a treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). The CPT will host an International Key Opinion Leader Event on 11-12 May 2009 in order to facilitate the progression of Cogane™.\n\nTom Isaacs, Co-founder of the CPT commented: 'The Cure Parkinson's Trust is delighted to be able to confirm its support of Phytopharm in the development of Cogane, a drug with significant potential in the treatment of Parkinson's. We fully support the development of Cogane™ and are commited to funding and jointly organising the key oponion leader event with Phytopharm.'\n\nThe continued success of pre-clinical testing on Cogane and the verification of Phytopharm's commitment to prioritising Cogane as a treatment for Parkinson's disease were confirmed at a meeting between the CPT and the new Executive Management of Phytopharm.\n\nIn pre-clinical models, Cogane reverses the changes in the area of the brain involved in Parkinson's disease by inducing the body's own production of proteins known as neurotrophic factors. In particular, one of these factors known as 'GDNF' has been shown to be particularly effective in re-growing damaged nerves. Since GDNF is a protein it cannot be given orally (in pill or liquid form) because it is degraded in the stomach and intestine, and also does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier. GDNF can work only when injected into or when produced inside the brain. Direct injection of GDNF into the area of the brain involved in Parkinson's disease has shown substantial beneficial effects in small-scale clinical studies but requires highly complex and difficult surgical procedures. Cogane™, which can be taken orally, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and stimulates the release of GDNF in the brain and therefore has the potential to overcome many of the difficulties associated with GDNF administration.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCompany Con...