Anavex Life Sciences Announces New Data Related to Multiple Sclerosis Presented at 7th ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS Meeting MSPARIS2017

ANAVEX^®2-73 Shown to Protect and Repair Myelin Forming Cells

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2017 -- Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Anavex or the Company) (Nasdaq:AVXL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types of cancer, today announced additional data from a preclinical study of ANAVEX®2-73  related to multiple sclerosis. The data was presented in an oral presentation by lead investigator, Robert Lisak, MD, Professor of Neurology at Wayne State University School of Medicine, at the 7^th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS Meeting MSPARIS2017.

“A unique feature of ANAVEX2-73, compared to another sigma-1 receptor agonist we studied, is that ANAVEX2-73 accelerates the maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC) to oligodendrocytes (OL),” said Dr Robert P. Lisak. “This is an important feature since OPCs can replace lost OLs by maturing into new potential myelin-producing cells. In other words, ANAVEX2-73 might promote remyelination. Further data also demonstrates that ANAVEX2-73 provides protection for OL, OPCs, as well as central nervous system neurons in addition to helping repair by increasing OPC proliferation and maturation in tissue culture.“

“These findings provide additional evidence for the neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects of ANAVEX2-73, as well as further validating the mechanism of our target,” said Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex.

About Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes damage to nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. This can disrupt communication between the CNS and other parts of the body, resulting in a wide range of physical and cognitive symptoms such as muscle weakness, visual loss, poor balance, chronic pain, tremors, short-term memory loss and other difficulties associated with dementia.

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq:AVXL) is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types of cancer. Anavex’s lead drug candidate, ANAVEX^®2-73, recently completed successfully a Phase 2a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease. ANAVEX^®2-73 is an orally available drug candidate that restores cellular homeostasis by targeting sigma-1 and muscarinic receptors. Preclinical studies demonstrated its potential to halt and/or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease. It has also exhibited anticonvulsant, anti-amnesic, neuroprotective and anti-depressant properties in animal models, indicating its potential to treat additional CNS disorders, including epilepsy. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has awarded Anavex a research grant to develop ANAVEX^®2-73 for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease to fully fund a preclinical study, which could justify moving ANAVEX^®2-73 into a Parkinson’s disease clinical trial. ANAVEX®3-71, also targeting sigma-1 and M1 muscarinic receptors, is a promising preclinical drug candidate demonstrating disease modifications against the major Alzheimer’s hallmarks in transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice, including cognitive deficits, amyloid and tau pathologies, and also with beneficial effects on neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunctions. Further information is available at www.anavex.com. You can also connect with the company on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

For Further Information:
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Research & Business Development
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