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MOUNTAIN VIEW and REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 10 /PRNewswire/
-- SurroMed, Inc. and Eunoe, Inc. announced today an exclusive
collaborative research agreement to study the biochemical basis
of Alzheimer's disease. SurroMed will use its novel, integrated
suite of technologies to analyze samples of cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) from Alzheimer's patients and obtained using Eunoe's COGNIShunt(R)
device.
"The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease relies heavily upon
the subjective evaluation of the symptoms of dementia which are
only apparent once the disease is already in an advanced stage,"
stated SurroMed CEO, Gordon Ringold, PhD. "By applying powerful
analytical technologies to samples obtained directly from the
site of disease, we hope to identify novel markers that could
have utility for diagnosis and prognosis and could also lead to
new therapeutic strategies."
"Eunoe's COGNIShunt has been designed based upon the hypothesis
that CSF surrounding the brain is important in clearing toxic
proteins thought to cause Alzheimer's disease," stated Eunoe's
President, Dawn McGuire, MD. "This collaboration with SurroMed
is a complementary step forward in the development of diagnostics
and, ultimately, treatments for this terrible disease."
Under the terms of the agreement, SurroMed will analyze the samples
with its novel, integrated comprehensive phenotyping platform,
which incorporates proprietary, advanced bioanalytical technologies
for cellular, proteomic and low-molecular-weight organic molecule
profiling and analysis to identify biological markers of Alzheimer's
disease. In addition to identifying markers that may have utility
for disease diagnosis and monitoring, this research may also yield
novel therapeutic targets. Eunoe will provide SurroMed with longitudinally
derived ventricular fluid samples obtained from Alzheimer's patients
participating in an ongoing Phase III clinical trial of Eunoe's
COGNIShunt System, an implanted flow-controlled shunt for Alzheimer's
disease treatment.
More than four million Americans are currently diagnosed with
Alzheimer's disease, a progressive, degenerative disease that
attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and
behavior. According to the Alzheimer's Association, one in 10
people over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 have the disease.
As the baby-boomer generation ages, the disease is becoming a
growing health and social issue. Patients' families and communities
are often affected by issues such as drained resources and requirements
for around-the-clock care.
About SurroMed, Inc.
Headquartered in Mountain View, California, SurroMed uses its
integrated phenotyping and biological marker discovery platform
to better understand the root causes of disease and the factors
underlying patient-to-patient variations in disease presentation,
progression and response to therapy. Discoveries arising from
its research will enable improved, cost-efficient discovery and
development of therapeutic and diagnostic products. SurroMed's
phenotyping and biological marker discovery platform incorporates
advanced proprietary technologies for profiling and analysis of
hundreds of immune cell populations, proteins and low-molecular-weight
organic molecules (such as sugars, peptides or lipids) in small
volumes of blood and/or other biological samples, while maintaining
complete patient confidentiality. By capturing and analyzing enormous
amounts of clinical and biological information in a massively
parallel fashion to identify useful biological markers, SurroMed
plans to enable the precise diagnosis and effective treatment
of disease.
About Eunoe, Inc.
Founded in 1995 (under the name CSFluids), Eunoe, Incorporated
has developed a proprietary device-based treatment for Alzheimer's
disease based on improving cerebrospinal fluid clearance of neurotoxic
proteins associated with this dementia. A prospective, randomized
pilot study of the COGNIShunt(R) conducted at three major medical
centers has been completed, with encouraging results. An FDA-approved
multicenter pivotal study is now underway.
Contacts:
SurroMed, Inc.
August J. Moretti
CFO and General Counsel
(650) 230-1564
email: [email protected]
Noonan/Russo Communications, Inc.
Talya Gould
Account Coordinator
(415) 677-4455 ext. 284
email: [email protected]
Eunoe, Inc.
Dawn McGuire
President
(650) 216.1550
email: [email protected]
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