Neurochem shifts focus on Alzheimer's treatment

TORONTO, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Neurochem said on Thursday it planned to ramp up development of its key Alzheimer's disease treatment NRM-8499 and terminate European trials of its tramiprosate Alzheimer's treatment as it shifts its focus on the fight with the disease.

The company also said it planned to commercialize tramiprosate as a branded nutraceutical product starting as early as 2008 with the creation of a new self-sustaining company. ($1=$0.93 Canadian) (Reporting by Scott Anderson; Editing by Ka Yan Ng)