Curemark Moderates Autism Panel at Life Sciences Summit 2010

RYE, N.Y., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Joan Fallon, founder and CEO of Curemark, LLC, (www.curemark.com), a drug research and development company focused on the treatment of neurological diseases, moderated the neuroscience roundtable focused on autism at the Life Sciences Summit 2010, held September 22-23 in Hauppauge, New York.  

Sponsored by the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Brookhaven National Laboratories and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, the Life Sciences Summit focused on forging partnerships between biopharmaceutical companies and companies emerging from academia to accelerate biomedical solutions in areas including infectious disease, neuroscience, oncology and regenerative medicine.   In addition to serving as panel moderator, Dr. Fallon presented an update on Curemark's autism treatment CM-AT, currently in Phase III clinical trials, at the conference's Emerging Company and Innovator's Showcase.

"The Life Sciences Summit brought together researchers, scientists and representatives of companies working at the forefront of new medical developments, who shared and exchanged ideas in this very conducive forum.  The discussion at the Roundtable highlighted some of the latest research in identifying possible causes of autism as well promising new therapies," she said.  

Participating at the Roundtable entitled "Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recent Advances in the Development of Symptomatic Treatments" were Joseph Buxbaum, PhD, MSc, principal investigator, Laboratory of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Deborah A. Pearson, PhD, professor, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston; John Spiro, PhD, senior associate director for research, Simons Foundation; and Larry J. Young, PhD, William P. Timmie professor of psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine.  

Although most research efforts have focused on determining the genetic underpinnings of ASD, the panel discussed progress in understanding the neurochemicals believed to contribute to the pathology and symptoms of the disease.  These neurochemicals present nearer-term opportunities to repurpose existing therapeutics for use in treating some of the symptoms of ASD, the panel noted.  Panelists discussed several currently marketed products that are in development to address aggression/irritability, repetitive behavior and social impairment.  Additional research is focused on inflammatory and immune processes that may be associated with the pathogenesis of autism, such as research findings emerging from human genetic and animal studies which suggest that disruption of a key developmental process related to synapses may be a factor, the panel said.

Curemark's autism treatment targets enzyme deficiencies in autistic children which affect the availability of amino acids, the building blocks of chemicals essential for brain function.  If approved, it will be one of the first therapies to address the underlying physiology of autism.          

About CUREMARK LLC

Curemark is a drug research and development company focused on the treatment of neurological and other diseases, especially those with dysautonomic components, by addressing certain key gastrointestinal/pancreatic secretory deficiencies. The company's initial products are based upon breakthrough observations by its founder, Dr. Joan Fallon, which revealed a lack of protein digestion in children with autism and ADHD. To learn more about our innovative science, visit www.curemark.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and experiences to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the mechanism of action of CM-AT, its potential advantages, its potential for use in treating autism, as well as the timing, progress and anticipated results of the clinical development and regulatory processes concerning CM-AT. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. Factors that might cause such a material difference include, among others, risks that the results of clinical trials will not support our claims or beliefs concerning the effectiveness of CM-AT, our ability to finance our development of CM-AT, regulatory risks, and our reliance on third party researchers and other collaborators. We assume no obligation to update these statements, except as required by law.

SOURCE Curemark LLC