Anavex Life Sciences to Present New Preclinical Data at the 20th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (ASENT)

ANAVEX®2-73 Extends Survival and Reduces Seizures in an Orphan Disease Model

NEW YORK, March 07, 2018 --  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, Rett syndrome and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, today announced new data for ANAVEX®2-73 in a genetic mouse model of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). TSC is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous benign tumors in many parts of the body with a high incidence of seizures. The new preclinical data demonstrate that treatment with ANAVEX®2-73 significantly increases survival and reduces seizures. The data will be highlighted in presentations at ASENT on March 8^th and March 9^th, 2018.

“These novel, preclinical findings confirm the potential therapeutic effect of ANAVEX®2-73 to extend survival in a genetically-based, neurodevelopmental disease,” stated Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex. “While our clinical focus for ANAVEX®2-73 is to progress into advanced clinical trials for Rett syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, these data suggest that sigma-1 receptor activation with ANAVEX®2-73 could be a common target with widespread pharmacological benefit, including those disorders that elicit seizures, regardless of differences in the underlying CNS pathophysiology.”

About the Study
ANAVEX®2-73 (30 mg/kg/day dosed orally for four weeks) was assessed in a Tsc1^GFAP CKO mouse model of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, as it possesses a behavioral profile that mimics many aspects of the clinical manifestation. The experiments were conducted at PsychoGenics Inc., NJ, in conjunction with the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance. The results indicated Tsc1 CKO mice treated with ANAVEX®2-73 showed a significant improvement in survival compared to vehicle-treated control animals (p = 0.0008) and demonstrated a significant reduction in seizures (p < 0.05 vs. vehicle-treated mice).

Presentation Details

The presentations can be accessed simultaneously with the above presentation times at www.anavex.com.

About American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (ASENT)
The American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (ASENT) is an independent non-profit organization established in 1997 by leaders in academia, government, advocacy and industry to facilitate the process by which new therapies are made available to patients with neurological disorders. Its primary goal is to encourage and advance the development of improved therapies for diseases and disorders of the nervous system.

ASENT engages in scientific exchanges to encourage contacts between those involved in the discovery and development of neurotherapeutics and to provide opportunities for dialogue between interested groups.  The society organizes education and training and publishes a journal for healthcare practitioners, scientists and officials participating in the neurotherapeutics field, which serves as a forum for its members and interested groups addressing diverse issues.

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 a successful 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. ANAVEX®2-73 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. The grant fully funds a preclinical study, which could justify moving ANAVEX®2-73 into a Parkinson’s disease clinical trial. ANAVEX®3-71, which targets sigma-1 and M1 muscarinic receptors, is a promising preclinical drug candidate demonstrating disease-modifying activity against the major hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease in transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice, including cognitive deficits, amyloid and tau pathologies.  In preclinical trials, ANAVEX®3-71 has shown beneficial effects on neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. 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
Toll-free: 1-844-689-3939
Email: [email protected]

Investors & Media:
Clayton Robertson
The Trout Group
(646) 378-2900
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