Memory Pharmaceuticals Licenses Alzheimer Drug From Bayer AG

Memory Pharmaceuticals Corp., a drug development company in the field of learning and memory disorders, announced it has licensed from Bayer AG the rights to develop and market MEM 1003, a new drug candidate for the treatment of dementia including Alzheimer's disease.

The drug belongs to the class of neuronal calcium channel modulators that are geared toward regulating elevated intracellular calcium levels found in various neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease.

"Bayer's new-generation neuronal calcium channel modulator has shown great potential for the treatment of dementia," said Tony Scullion, CEO of Memory Pharmaceuticals.

"We are pleased that Memory Pharmaceuticals will develop MEM 1003 for this important indication with major unmet needs," said Dr. David Ebsworth, General Manager of Bayer AG's Pharmaceuticals Business Group.

Calcium is linked to neuronal signaling pathways involved in learning and memory, a process called long term potentiation. Certain calcium levels are needed for proper functioning but elevated calcium levels can be harmful, leading to cell death.

The action of this new-generation calcium channel modulator is to regulate elevated intracellular calcium levels back to normal physiological levels to restore proper functioning and to protect neurons from the calcium overload seen in Alzheimer's disease.

Other sources: Memory Pharmaceuticals Corp.