LA JOLLA, Calif., March 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rudy Tanzi, Ph.D., a scientific founder of TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc. and an important contributor to the TorreyPines’ genetic research program in Alzheimer’s disease has been selected by the Alzheimer’s Association as the 2007 recipient of the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute Award, given annually for outstanding research in the field of Alzheimer’s disease. He will be honored along with other leaders in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, including Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Susan Collins and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, at the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual gala on March 27 in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Tanzi’s career in neurogenetic research began at the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1980, when he participated in a study that was the first to identify a genetic marker for an inherited disease, Huntington’s disease. For the past 25 years, Dr. Tanzi’s research has focused on the genetic basis of Alzheimer’s disease. He isolated the first Alzheimer’s disease gene in 1987 and collaborated on the identification of two more in 1995. He has received several awards for his work -- including the two highest awards given for Alzheimer’s research, the Metropolitan Life Foundation Award and the Potamkin Prize -- and has been included in the Harvard 100: Most Influential Alumni list. Tanzi has co-authored more than 300 research articles and has published three of the top ten most cited papers in Alzheimer’s disease research over the last decade. He also co-authored the lay book Decoding Darkness: the Search for the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Currently a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Genetic and Aging Research Unit in the Massachusetts General Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases MGH, Dr. Tanzi helped found TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Neurogenetics, Inc.) in 2000, uniting with a team of executives and scientists around a shared vision of targeting genetic foundations or predispositions to address the unmet needs of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative illnesses.
In furthering Dr. Tanzi’s vision, TorreyPines is focused on the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics to treat diseases and disorders of the central nervous system including cognitive disorders such as cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, TorreyPines is also developing product candidates targeting chronic pain, including migraine and neuropathic pain.
A research collaboration between Dr. Tanzi, TorreyPines and Eisai Co., Ltd., which involves a screen of the entire human genome, is aimed at identifying the full complement of genes responsible for late onset Alzheimer’s disease. The collaborative studies have already led to the discovery of a number of gene variants that may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. One variant was announced in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2005.
“TorreyPines has been privileged to collaborate with Dr. Tanzi and Eisai on some of the most significant genetics research of the past few years,” said Neil Kurtz, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of TorreyPines. “We congratulate Dr. Tanzi on this significant achievement. Through our ongoing collaborations, and our continued shared commitment to Alzheimer’s gene discovery, we look forward to a future that offers patients and caregivers meaningful treatment advances.”
About TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc.
TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops small molecule drugs to treat diseases and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Led by an accomplished management team, TorreyPines is leveraging novel drug targets and technologies to potentially deliver new CNS therapies for chronic pain, including migraine and neuropathic pain; and cognitive disorders, including cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. TorreyPines’ common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Stock Market under the symbol “TPTX.” For detailed company information, including copies of this and other press releases, please visit TorreyPines’website at www.torreypinestherapeutics.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements or predictions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause TorreyPines’ actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These and other risks which may cause results to differ are described in greater detail in the “Risk Factors” section of TorreyPines’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,2006 and TorreyPines’ other SEC reports. The forward-looking statements are based on current information that is likely to change and speak only as of the date hereof.
TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc.
CONTACT: Evelyn Graham of TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc., +1-858-623-5665,ext. 118, egraham@torreypinestherapeutics.com; or Patricia Garrison of RxCommunications, +1-917-322-2567, pgarrison@rxir.com, for TorreyPinesTherapeutics, Inc.
Web site: http://www.torreypinestherapeutics.com/
