Hi! Thanks for the interesting question.
Actually ependymin is not the name of the drug but a protein produced
by the brain that stimulates the brain to produce enzymes that fights
diseases. No offical name has been given yet. The article you cited
specifically says the following:
“It contains a special protein produced by the brain which stimulates
the body into producing its own disease-fighting enzymes.”
“Scientists discovered the protein - ependymin - can repair the body’s
defences by stimulating it into producing its own anti-oxidant
compounds.”
“On trial... drug that could help you hit 120”
http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=691242003
-------------------
History:
Our next two articles, both from the Sunday Herald (One is the US
edition while the other is the UK version) provide a history of
ependymin and the Ceremedix Company. In that article it was mentioned
that the company testing the pill, CereMedix has Professor Victor
Shashoua as its founder and chief scientist. Shashoua actually studied
ependymin for 30 years.
“All of this is based on a single startling finding by the company's
chief scientist and founder, Professor Victor Shashoua: that elements
of the brain, protein ependymin, itself discovered by Shashoua 30
years ago, have the potential to repair and restore the body's
defences as they become crippled by age. Parkinson, Shashoua and
company are well aware of the cynicism that surrounds 'long life'
claims. So both downplay the hype. Parkinson insists that their
project 'is not the fountain of youth'. Shashoua says modestly, 'All
we are aiming for is to provide healthy life expectancy.' But pressed,
he admits that 'healthy life expectancy' is between 120 years and 160
years, according to the Genome project.”
“This man could help you live to 120”
http://sundayherald.cw.cims.co.uk/34677
“THE nerve centre of the CereMedix drive to redefine old age is a
bustling laboratory on the campus of Northeastern University in
Boston. Shashoua was researching memory almost 30 years ago when he
discovered the brain protein ependymin. At the time, he likened it to
a 'glue' in memory formation. Fascinating though it was, there was no
obvious commercial application. Then in 1999, Shashoua decided on a
hunch to investigate ependymin in a different way. He tested fragments
of the whole protein to see whether they had any function of their own
in the body.”
“These, he discovered, had a powerful and unsuspected capability: they
stimulated the cells of the body into re-energising their natural
defence system.”
“'At first my interest was in brain applications, such as Parkinson's
and Alzheimers -- but then I discovered that the repair effect applied
throughout the body, he says. 'This was of enormous significance. We
had stumbled upon a natural defence and repair system to retain a
youthful body and fight age related diseases.'”
“Four years on, the team believe their family of drugs and products
will transform the world of health care. 'We believe we can mobilise
the body's own defence and repair mechanisms,' says Shashoua, 'and
arrest the tide of premature ageing.'”
“This man could help you live to 120”
http://sundayherald.cw.cims.co.uk/print34677
---------------------------
Our next links meanwhile will provide a profile of Ceremedix, the
company responsible for testing this medication and ependymin itself.
Ceremedix Inc. Profile:
“Northeastern University today announced the arrival of the first
biotechnology startup company, CereMedix, Inc., associated with the
initiative’s business incubator, on campus. CereMedix, formerly
located at the McLean Hospital, has moved into the University’s
state-of-the art research facility in the Egan Engineering/Science
Research Center.”
“CereMedix, a genomics firm started two years ago, is developing
treatments for stroke and other neurological diseases. The company
will lease 3, 000 square feet at Northeastern.”
“NORTHEASTERN WELCOMES BIOTECHNOLOGY STARTUP, CEREMEDIX, INC. ONTO
CAMPUS AS PART OF MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE”
http://www.nupr.neu.edu/10-01/ceremedix.html
Since we already know that Ceremedix is testing the drug in Edinburgh
University we can infer from this web article that Ceremedix is the
company being referred to. Much more we also found out that the
laboratory’s name for the drug is 1152!
“One simply called 1152 will be researched at Edinburgh University.”
“1152 contains a special protein, ependymin, which stimulates the body
into producing its own disease-fighting enzymes.”
“Edinburgh University's Professor Bill MacNee says the drug could have
a huge effect on the treatment of diseases like Alzheimer's and
strokes as well as reversing lung damage done by smoking. The
Scots-born president of the US drug company producing 1152 claims that
it could boost average life expectancy from 75 years to 120 years.”
“So who's the more reckless?”
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/columnists/selinascott/content_objectid=13127575_method=full_siteid=86024_headline=-SELINA-SCOTT-name_page.html
------------------------------
Ependymin Profile:
Scientific Profile of Ependymin
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/LocusLink/LocRpt.cgi?l=30199
Title page for ETD etd-0429103-132144 (Scientific Paper by Ceremedix
on Ependymin)
http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/ETD/Available/etd-0429103-132144/
-----------------------------
1152 Drug Profile
Current Developments in the Clinical Trials:
“These are found in fruit and vegetables, and researchers claim the
new pill has the equivalent effect of eating 30lbs of fruit and
vegetables every day.”
“Mr. Parkinson said: ‘Everyone taking a pill will feel better and have
more energy. Instead of pumping the patient full of chemicals, we will
be giving them a more natural drug.’"
“Pill 'may raise average life expectancy by 45 years'”
http://www.ananova.com/business/story/sm_793384.html?menu=
“The substance, which promotes the production of natural
anti-oxidants, is set to be tested in two prescription forms, one
designed to repair lung damage from smoking and the other to speed
recovery from heart surgery.”
“In prescription form, the drug could have valuable applications for a
wide range of ailments, including Alzheimer’s Disease, stroke and
coronary damage, diabetes and virtually any illness that results from
oxidative stress. In addition to the two prescription drugs in trial,
CereMedix has another version in development: an over-the-counter
supplement that would slow aging and increase energy by stimulating
the production of natural anti-oxidants.”
“Initial tests have already shown startling successes. A rat that
suffered a stroke was given the medicine and the effects of the stroke
were almost completely reversed. Geriatric mice that received the drug
were permanently rejuvenated. Preliminary tests even indicate that in
cream form, the drug could have a rejuvenating effect on skin, which
is big news for cosmetics companies.”
“LIVING TO 120 WITH EASE”
http://www.nupr.neu.edu/7-03/ceremedix.html
------------------------------
Drug Availability:
The drug is not yet available in the US or in other countries.
Ceremedix estimates that the drug will be available two years from now
if all goes well.
“Professor MacNee says they would first carry out tests in the
university's department of respiratory medicine to establish if the
ependymin drug had the same effect on lung cells and tissue as in the
brain. They will also check for side effects because, 'after all we
will be manipulating the genetic machinery. But if all goes to plan,
we hope to proceed to a clinical trial testing the new drug on local
patients within two years.”
“This man could help you live to 120”
http://sundayherald.cw.cims.co.uk/print34677
“Clinical Trials Starting On Pill Extending Human Lifespan to 120
Years”
http://www.sciscoop.com/story/2003/6/24/75934/6028
---------------------------
Potential Risks and Assessment
The drug is currently in initial clinical trials so an assessment and
judgment on potential risks are pretty premature at the moment.
Furthermore as can be inferred from our last link and citation that
during these trials, Ceremedix will test for side effects by this
drug. During the course of my research I have not yet encountered any
data for the risks associated with the drug.
An understanding of the development of drugs for the market will be
helpful in this regard. Our last link shows how drugs are developed
for the market.
Stage 1: “Preclinical studies. In the preclinical phase a new drug is
synthesized, and the pharmacological activity and therapeutic
potential are tested in animal studies and on tissue samples, enzymes,
cloned receptor sites and computer models. In this stage, researchers
evaluate compounds for pharmacological activity, therapeutic promise,
and potentially harmful biological properties. Only one in 5,000
compounds that enter preclinical research will ever be tested on
humans.”
Based on the reports we have gathered, we can evaluate that the
Ceremedix drug is still in preclinical studies so assessments of
effectivity and risks are still being evaluated at this point.
“Bringing a new drug to market”
http://www.obesity-101.com/drugdev.htm
Search Strategy:
ependymin pill life Ceremedix
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
Thanks for visiting us.
Regards,
Easterangel-ga
Google Answers Researcher |
