Neuronascent Issued US Patent for Neurogenesis, Therapeutic Candidates


CLARKSVILLE, MD--(Marketwire - Oct 26, 2011) - Neuronascent, Inc. (www.neuronascent.com) announced today that the USPTO has allowed claims for its patent, "Methods and Compositions for Stimulating Neurogenesis and Inhibiting Neuronal Degeneration," covering composition of its lead therapeutic candidates and chemical family. The patent claims, which were filed internationally, were also allowed by the Russian patent office and are pending in the EU and other regions. The company's lead compounds covered by the patent are currently in preclinical testing.

Neuronascent's unique discovery program, targeting central nervous system indications with high unmet need, has resulted in the National patent filings for a number of active chemical families and optimized lead candidates. The compounds are developed to regenerate neurons and to provide neuroprotection, for those newly generated neurons and for surviving neurons, in neurodegenerative disease. These potentially disease-modifying agents aim to improve behavioral outcomes, including anxiety, motor function, and memory. One of the patented therapeutic candidates shows anxiolytic activity in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder as well as learning and memory enhancement in a transgenic mouse model of Down syndrome.

"The issuance of these patents occurs at a very good time for Neuronascent. We can now illustrate the clear and long term benefits of our lead therapeutic candidates for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease in animal models," said Judith Kelleher-Andersson, Ph.D., President, CSO and inventor. "It is very gratifying to realize that our many years of hard work may one day benefit the countless individuals with seemingly intractable disorders."

Founded in 2004 by Dr. Kelleher-Andersson, Neuronascent, Inc. is a small-molecule central nervous system drug discovery and development company. Neuronascent has laboratories in Rockville and Frederick, Maryland.

Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by words such as "would," "may," "will," "expects," and other terms with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, assumptions and expectations and speak only as of the date of this release and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Contact Information:

For more information contact:
Judith Kelleher-Andersson