SAN DIEGO, Sept. 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- OLAS Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held biotechnology company with patented technologies focused on the use of positive modulators of the AMPA receptor, announced today positive results from its in vivo studies of growth hormone, DHEA, and corticosterone.
The OLAS rat studies utilized both young and middle-aged subjects. The results demonstrated that peripheral administration of certain classes of structurally distinct positive AMPA receptor modulators caused significant increases in baseline circulatory levels, and peak morning pulses, of growth hormone. Select AMPA modulators also triggered a significant increase in circulating DHEA in test subjects. Additionally, certain of the modulators caused a strong trend toward decreased levels of corticosterone.
Commenting on the results, Peter Vanderklish, Ph.D., OLAS's VP of Research, said, "The current results extend our previous observations and support the use of positive AMPA modulators as a means of normalizing endocrine function across a broad range of diseases."
"Therapeutic development of AMPA modulators for endocrine indications is especially promising, as many of the varied disorders that are characterized by hormonal dysfunction are not suitably addressed by direct hormone application," said Keith B. Hoffman, Ph.D., OLAS's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. "A key advantage of AMPA receptor modulation for endocrine indications is the mechanism by which such compounds exert their effects. The drugs modify the levels of a host's endogenous hormones only indirectly, thereby avoiding the oftentimes dangerous technique of exogenous hormone administration. We are therefore planning further development of the use of positive AMPA modulators in endocrine-related indications."
Dr. Hoffman concluded, "We believe our proprietary technologies have significant value for those pharmaceutical companies working in the growing field of AMPA receptor modulation."
About OLAS Pharmaceuticals:
OLAS is a privately-held biotechnology company engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of patented technologies in the field of AMPA receptor modulation, with a focus on endocrine and hormone-related disorders. Certain of OLAS's patented technologies are exclusively licensed from The University of California. OLAS has also independently invented other proprietary methods. OLAS intends to continue its research and to offer the Company's results, know-how, and intellectual property portfolio to the pharmaceutical industry for further therapeutic development in the field of endocrinology, and related applications.