Prana to present at New York Academy of Science Symposium on November 29th
“Targeting Metals in Alzheimer’s and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases”
Melbourne – November 20, 2012; Prana Biotechnology (NASDAQ:PRAN; ASX:PBT) today announced that the New York Academy of Science is hosting a symposium on November 29th titled “Targeting Metals in Alzheimer’s and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases”. Dr. Rudy Tanzi, the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Harvard University and Prana’s Chief Scientific Advisor, and Dr. Robert Cherny. Prana’s Head of Research, will take part in the symposium. The presentations will explore the causative events leading to the neuropathology that drives Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington disease. This symposium will examine how these findings led to the discovery of small molecules designed to restore the balance of transition metals in the brain that are critical for neuronal function, reduce the accumulation of aggregated target proteins, and could have a disease-modifying effect. A review of Prana’s PBT2 clinical history will be presented.
Dr. Tanzi said, “Researchers are increasingly focusing on the role of metals in neurodegenerative disease, providing data that promotes optimism for the outcome of Prana’s trials. As we learn more about the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease it appears that the disease is triggered by the excessive accumulation of the amyloid beta protein in the brain. Prana’s therapeutic strategy for treating neurodegenerative disease involves a very different mechanism of action than that of other anti-beta-amyloid drugs, which have largely failed”.
The symposium is presented by the Brain Dysfunction Discussion Group at the New York Academy of Sciences and is free for Academy members. Both members and non- members can register to attend the symposium or tune in via the live webinar at www.nyas.org/MetalsandAD (register free from Monday 26 Nov). Media should RSVP to Diana Friedman at dfriedman@nyas.org .
ASIC Granted Postponement of AGM until 12th December 2012
In accordance with Section 250P of the Corporation Act of 2001, Prana has been granted Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) approval to hold the 2012 Annual General Meeting on December 12, 2012 in order to enable Geoffrey Kempler, Chairman of Prana, to participate in the New York Academy of Science meeting on November 29th to discuss Prana and its scientific research.
