Alcobra Granted European Orphan Drug Designation for Metadoxine in Fragile X Syndrome


TEL AVIV, Israel, July 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alcobra Ltd. (Nasdaq:ADHD), an emerging pharmaceutical company focused on the development of new medications to help patients with cognitive disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Fragile X Syndrome, today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted Orphan Drug designation to Metadoxine for the treatment of Fragile X Syndrome within the European Union.

EC Orphan Drug designation is granted to drugs that are intended for the treatment of life threatening or chronically debilitating rare diseases where no satisfactory therapeutic options exist. The designation provides sponsors with development and commercial incentives, including 10 years of market exclusivity, prioritized consultation by the European Medicines Agency on the development of the drug, including clinical studies, and certain exemptions from, or reductions in, regulatory fees.

In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan drug status in the United States to Metadoxine for the treatment of Fragile X Syndrome, and in 2015, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to our proprietary Metadoxine Extended Release (MDX) for Fragile X Syndrome.  Fast Track designation is a process designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs in serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions. Currently, there are no approved medications in the United States or Europe for Fragile X Syndrome.

About Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, behavioral and learning challenges. FXS is the leading known genetic cause of autism, accounting for about 2-6% of cases. FXS represents an unmet medical need and a rare disease, as defined by the U.S. Orphan Drug Act. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, approximately one in 4,000 males and one in 8,000 females have FXS.

About MDX
MDX (Metadoxine Extended Release) is a proprietary investigational new drug candidate being developed by Alcobra for the potential treatment of ADHD and Fragile X Syndrome. MDX is not a stimulant and acts as a monoamine-independent modulator of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) transmission. In pre-clinical studies to date, Metadoxine has shown no potential for abuse or addiction. MDX is currently in Phase III development for adults with ADHD, Phase II development for pediatric ADHD, and Phase II development for Fragile X Syndrome.

About Alcobra
Alcobra Ltd. is an emerging pharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development and commercialization of MDX (Metadoxine Extended Release), a proprietary drug candidate, to treat cognitive disorders including ADHD and Fragile X Syndrome. For more information, please visit the Company's website, www.alcobra-pharma.com, the content of which is not incorporated herein by reference.

Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws.  Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Alcobra's current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Alcobra could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. For example, forward-looking statements include statements regarding the potential of MDX to treat Fragile X Syndrome or that we will be able to benefit from the incentives granted to orphan drugs. In addition, historic results of scientific research do not guarantee that the conclusions of future research would not suggest different conclusions or that historic results referred to in this press release would not be interpreted differently in light of additional research or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Alcobra Ltd.'s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Alcobra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.


            

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