ANAVEX Life Sciences Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of new drugs for the treatment of neurological diseases and cancer, utilizing its proprietary drug discovery SIGMACEPTOR™ platform. ANAVEX portfolio involves new sigma receptor compounds (ligands) in preclinical stage that target diseases of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Cancer. The company’s three leading drugs target Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and solid tumors. They are expected to enter human clinical trials in early 2010. Several cancer compounds targeting various types of cancer are in late preclinical phase and they are scheduled to enter clinical trials over the following 2 years.

Neurological diseases (CNS): ANAVEX SIGMACEPTOR™-N program involves the discovery and development of original drug candidates, targeting neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, depression and neuropathic pain. The company’s lead drug candidates exhibit high affinity and selectivity to sigma receptors and also synergistic action with other receptors, such as Muscarinic and NMDA, with strong evidence of anti-amnesic, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic properties.

Oncology: ANAVEX SIGMACEPTOR™-C program involves the discovery and development of original drug candidates targeting cancer. The company’s lead drug candidates exhibit high affinity to sigma receptors with strong evidence for selective apoptosis of cancerous cells, without affecting healthy cells, anti-metastatic and low toxicity properties in various types of cancer such as melanoma, prostate and pancreas.

In addition, several series of sigma ligands currently at different stages of development, target cancer, diabetes, acute ischemic stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.