CellCeutix pharmaceutical company

Cellceutix has acquired the rights to the compound KM 391, which it intends to pursue as a treatment for autism. KM 391 is a small molecule that was developed in India and will now be synthesized in the United States for continued testing.

Preliminary testing of KM 391 in mice revealed that the test animals showed a significant increase in serotonin uptake compared to controls, with no apparent side-effects in the long-term administration of KM 391 in mice. The equalization of serotonin uptake is considered by many researchers as an important development in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Autism is a behavior disorder, characterized by an impairment in social communication, social interaction, and social imagination. Those with autism often have a restricted range of interests and display repetitive behaviors and mannerisms, along with altered reactions to the everyday environment. Autism may affect as many as 14-39 babies per 10,000 births.

About Autism Spectrum Disorders:

· 1 percent of the population of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder. Prevalence is estimated at 1 in 110 births.
· More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.
· 1 to 1.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder. 1 percent of the adult population of the United Kingdom have an autism spectrum disorder.
· Fastest-growing developmental disability; 10 - 17 % annual growth.
· $60 billion estimated annual cost with 60% of costs in adult services. Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention.
· Autism receives less than 5% of the current US private research funding, and less than 1% of the total NIH budget, even though it is the most prevalent childhood disorder.
More information about autism spectrum disorders is available on the following websites:

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
- http://www.nichd.nih.gov

Autism Society of America - http://www.autism-society.org

Autism Speaks, Inc. - http://www.autismspeaks.org