Dr. Dimitri Goundis to assist in drug development for Anavex

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Anavex Life
Sciences Corp. ("ANAVEX") (OTCBB: AVXL) today announced that Dr. Dimitri
Goundis has agreed to join the Company as a part-time consultant to provide
direction and guidance for the Anavex Drug Development program as the company
prepares to enter human clinical trials with its lead Alzheimer's compound
within the next 12 months.
Dr. Goundis has more than 20 years experience in drug development,
including leadership positions at Speedel AG, The Medicines Company and Roche.
He has successfully led the development of several medications currently on
the market, including SPP 100 (Tekturna/Rasilez), which was licensed by
Novartis and subsequently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), the European Commission and the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products
(Swissmedic), Switzerland's drug and device regulatory agency.
Dr. Goundis will aid in the establishment of a clinical development team
as well provide assistance for the selection and management of the contract
research organizations that will work with ANAVEX to move its drug candidates
through clinical trials in preparation for submission to the FDA and other
regulatory agencies. Dr. Goundis will also provide his expertise for medicinal
chemistry and for galenics, which pertains to the formulation of therapeutic
agents into palatable or otherwise practically useful formulations.
"We are honored to welcome Dr. Goundis as a consultant to ANAVEX's
development team and believe we will benefit enormously from his wealth of
drug development experience," said Dr. Kontzalis, Chief Executive Officer for
ANAVEX. "Dr. Goundis' successful track record in clinical trials and his
proven achievements in accelerating drug development programs will provide
critical support for our business objectives as we look to file
Investigational New Drug applications for three lead drug candidates and
commence Phase 1 clinical trials of our lead Alzheimer's compound over the
next 12 months."
"I am pleased to assist the ANAVEX team at such a critical juncture in the
company's growth and to be part of the development of a group of novel drug
compounds with disease-modifying potential," said Dr. Goundis. "ANAVEX's
approach to treating diseases is unique and unmatched in the industry. Its
drug candidates have the potential to be safer and more effective than
medications currently on the market because they aim to modify and treat the
underlying causes, as opposed to just the symptoms, of Alzheimer's, epilepsy
and various types of cancer."
Prior to joining ANAVEX, Dr. Goundis spent six years in various management
roles with his most recent as Managing Director at Speedel Experimenta, the
late-stage research unit of public biopharmaceutical company Speedel AG.
During his tenure, Dr. Goundis led the successful development of SPP100 from
Phase I through Phase IIb clinical trials, at which time Novartis exercised
its license-back option. Today, SPP100 is sold in the United States under the
trade name Tekturna and in Europe under the name Rasilez to treat
hypertension. In addition, Dr. Goundis spent several years with lead
responsibility for the company's entire development portfolio, including
compounds in Phases I, II and III.
Dr. Goundis' background also includes director-level positions with The
Medicines Company, where he was responsible for leading and managing the CNS
business unit, and Roche, where he managed projects across a variety of
therapeutic areas including Rocaltrol(R) in osteoporosis, Aurorix(R) in
anxiety disorders and Alcar(R) in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. He holds a
B.Sc. (Honors) in chemistry and biochemistry from the University of London, a
Ph.D. in biochemistry from Oxford University and a Certificate in Investment
Management from the London Business School.
About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is an emerging
biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel
drug targets for the treatment of cancer and neurological diseases. The
company's proprietary SIGMACEPTOR(TM) Discovery Platform involves the rational
drug design of compounds that fulfill specific criteria based on unmet market
needs and new scientific advances. Selected drug candidates demonstrate high,
non-exclusive affinity for sigma receptors, which are involved in the
modulation of multiple cellular biochemical signaling pathways.
ANAVEX's SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-N program involves the development of novel and
original drug candidates, targeting neurological and neurodegenerative
diseases (including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, depression). The company's
lead drug candidates exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors with strong
evidence for anti-amnesic, neuroprotective, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative,
anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, anti-depressant and anxiolytic properties.
ANAVEX SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-C program involves the development of novel and
original drug candidates targeting cancer. The company's lead drug candidates
exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors with strong evidence for selective
pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic and low toxicity properties in various types of
solid cancers such as colon, prostate, breast and lung.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in
nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions
based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks
and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those
projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the
risks and uncertainties inherent in drug discovery and development, which
include, without limitation, the potential failure of development candidates
to advance through preclinical studies or demonstrate safety and efficacy in
clinical testing and the ability to file an IND or commence clinical studies.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is made under
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation
to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof.
For Further Information
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Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Research & Business Development
Email: info@anavex.com

Shareholder & Media Relations
Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895
Outside North America: +1 (416) 489-0092
Email: ir@anavex.com
www.anavex.com

SOURCE Anavex Life Sciences Corp.

Anavex Life Sciences Corp., Research & Business Development, Email:
info@anavex.com; Shareholder & Media Relations, Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895,
Outside North America: (416) 489-0092, Email: ir@anavex.com, www.anavex.com