RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. Announces New Research Program With the National Institute of Drug Abuse
January 19 2016 - 8:15AM
Marketwired
RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. Announces New Research Program
With the National Institute of Drug Abuse
RespireRx Expands Research Initiatives Involving Treatments for
Drugs of Abuse
GLEN ROCK, NJ-(Marketwired - Jan 19, 2016) - RespireRx
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCQB: RSPI) ("RespireRx" or the "Company")
announces that the Company has reached agreement with the
Medications Development Program of the National Institute of Drug
Abuse ("NIDA") for NIDA to conduct research on RespireRx compounds
CX717 and CX1739. Pursuant to this program, NIDA will evaluate the
Company's proprietary ampakine compounds in a series of preclinical
pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic and toxicologic protocols to
determine their potential effectiveness for the treatment of drug
abuse and addiction. Initial studies will focus on cocaine and
methamphetamine addiction and abuse and be contracted to outside
testing facilities and/or government laboratories, with all costs
to be paid by NIDA. RespireRx will provide NIDA with supplies of
CX1739 and CX717 and will work with the NIDA staff to refine the
protocols and dosing parameters for these animal models of
addiction. RespireRx will retain all intellectual property,
proprietary and commercialization rights to these compounds.
The Company's participation in the Medications Development
Program follows the completion of a National Institutes of Health
Small Business Innovation Research ("SBIR") contract with NIDA to
evaluate the ability of CX1942, another ampakine compound, to
antagonize the respiratory depression induced by the opiate
fentanyl.
"In keeping with our strategic focus on developing drugs for
respiratory indications, the Company is seeking to realize the full
value of its compounds by working with development partners to fund
the non-respiratory uses of its compounds," said Dr. Arnold Lippa,
Executive Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of RespireRx.
Richard Purcell, Senior Vice President, Research and
Development, for RespireRx, added, "Through non-dilutive grants and
partnerships with government agencies like NIDA, the Company is
able to advance the development of its ampakine compounds for unmet
clinical needs, not only in the field of respiratory disorders, but
also in the related fields of addiction and other central nervous
system disorders."
About RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. RespireRx Pharmaceuticals
Inc. is a leader in the development of drugs for respiratory
disorders, with a focus on sleep apneas and drug-induced
respiratory depression. The Company holds exclusive licenses and
owns patents and patent applications for certain families of
chemical compounds that claim the chemical structures and their use
in the treatment of a variety of disorders, as well as claims for
novel uses of known drugs.
RespireRx's pharmaceutical candidates in development are derived
from two platforms, as described below.
The first platform is the class of compounds known as
cannabinoids, in particular, dronabinol. Under a license agreement
with the University of Illinois, the Company has rights to patents
claiming the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of sleep-related
breathing disorders. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled,
dose-ascending Phase 2A clinical study conducted by the Company,
dronabinol produced a statistically significant reduction in the
Apnea-Hypopnea Index, the primary therapeutic end-point, and was
observed to be safe and well-tolerated in a group of patients with
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ("OSA"). The University of Illinois and
three other centers currently are investigating dronabinol in a
potentially pivotal, six week, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Phase 2B clinical trial in 120 patients with OSA. This study, which
the University of Illinois has indicated it expects to be completed
during the second quarter of 2016, is fully funded by the National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of
Health. The Company is not managing or funding this ongoing
clinical trial.
The second platform of medicines being developed by RespireRx is
a class of proprietary compounds known as ampakines, which act to
enhance the actions of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate at
AMPA glutamate receptors. Several ampakines, in both oral and
injectable form, are being developed by the Company for the
treatment of a variety of breathing disorders. In clinical studies,
select ampakines have shown preliminary efficacy in central sleep
apnea and in the control of respiratory depression produced by
opiates, without altering their analgesic effects. In animal models
of orphan disorders, such as Pomp Disease, spinal cord damage and
perinatal respiratory distress, it has been demonstrated that
certain ampakines improve breathing function. The Company's
compounds belong to a new class of ampakines that do not display
the undesirable side effects previously reported in animal models
of earlier generations.
Additional information about the Company and the matters
discussed herein can be obtained on the Company's web-site at
www.RespireRx.com or in the Company's filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain
statements included or incorporated by reference in this news
release, including information as to the future financial or
operating performance of the Company and its drug development
programs, constitute forward-looking statements. The words
"believe," "expect," "anticipate," "contemplate," "target," "plan,"
"intend," "continue," "budget," "estimate," "may," "schedule" and
similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements
regarding future plans, targets, estimates and assumptions.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of
estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the
Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic
and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could
cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or
on behalf of, the Company. Due to these various risks and
uncertainties, actual events may differ materially from current
expectations. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and,
accordingly, investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on
forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news
release and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to
update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or results or
otherwise.
Contact Information
- Company Contact: Jeff Margolis Vice-President, Treasurer and
Secretary Telephone: (917) 834-7206 E-mail:
jmargolis@respirerx.com
RespireRx Pharmaceuticals (PK) (USOTC:RSPI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
RespireRx Pharmaceuticals (PK) (USOTC:RSPI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024