BEVERLY, MA–(Marketwire – June 14, 2010) – Cellceutix Corporation (OTCBB: CTIX) announced today that a new animal study of its compound for autism spectrum disorder, KM-391, once again demonstrated a positive impact on several measures of behavior associated with autism. As announced last week, Cellceutix expedited the research through a collaborative effort with InterEd Faculty of Clinical Research (IFCR) in India and the prestigious Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT).
In the study, test subjects previously injected with a compound to simulate autistic behaviors were injected with an oxytocin antagonist to intensify the symptoms. Test subjects were divided into four groups, oxytocin antagonist only, oxytocin antagonist plus KM-391 (10 mg/kg), placebo alone and placebo plus KM-391 (10 mg/kg). Measurements were taken of autism related behaviors including: repetitive behavior, self-induced injury, sensitivity to touch, positioning correction, group dynamics, and curiosity. The procedure was repeated with the same animals on days 5 and 10. When KM-391 was given along with the oxytocin antagonist, there was a significant reduction in all 6 autism-related behaviors within 1 to 2 hours.
“We are extremely excited about the results from this phase of testing as it coincides with the previous research,” said Dr. Krishna Menon, Chief Scientific Officer of Cellceutix. ”Having been involved in the research and development of extremely successful compounds in the past, I am very encouraged by the research results that we are achieving with KM-391 and its development potential as a treatment for autism. In our testing, we have simulated specific characteristics of an autistic brain and behavioral symptoms that result from them. KM-391 has been shown to significantly improve both the physical conditions in the brain and behaviors resulting in our animal models. We now have a basis to expect to emerge as a pharma industry leader in autism.”
Initial animal model testing on autism conducted with KM-391 by Cellceutix provided exciting results. In a carefully conducted study, KM-391 was given orally over 90 days to groups of rats at two dosage levels. At each dosage level, KM-391 demonstrated significant improvements in the test animals when compared to both the “no treatment” group and the “active control” (fluoxetine) group on the parameters of brain plasticity, serotonin levels and behavioral function. These parameters were selected as important indicators of the effect needed to successfully treat autism.
“With Pfizer and Novartis recently announcing that they have begun pursuing new treatments for core issues of autism, we are excited to be ahead of the curve,” said Leo Ehrlich, CFO of Cellceutix. ”The latest research has significantly strengthened the previous data and this puts Cellceutix in the forefront of autism research. While we have already been receiving notoriety in the industry, we believe that this is just the beginning of great things to come for Cellceutix and its shareholders.”