Released on: June 26, 2008, 10:00 am

Press Release Author: ANAVEX Life Sciences Corp.

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (\"ANAVEX\") (OTCBB: AVXL - News)
announces its participation at the International Conference on Alzheimer\'s Disease
2008 (July 26-31, 2008, Chicago, USA.

Press Release Body: ATHENS, GREECE, June 24 - Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (\"ANAVEX\")
(OTCBB: AVXL - News) announces its participation at the International Conference on
Alzheimer\'s Disease 2008 (July 26-31, 2008, Chicago, USA), where it will present
results obtained with ANAVEX 1-41 demonstrating a protective effect against the
neurotoxicity of amyloid (beta)25-35 peptide (A(beta)25-35) in mice. This peptide is
used to mimic the neurodegenerative processes found in Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) and
help identify the neuroprotective effects of the ANAVEX compound in order to
establish its potential for further development.

The two outstanding aspects of the results to be presented are:

1) The very low doses of ANAVEX 1-41 (30-100 micrograms/kg, ip) at which
we attain neuroprotective results, indicating significantly greater
potency than other pharmacological agents. The neuroprotection was
specifically assessed in the hippocampus, an area highly implicated in
Alzheimer\'s disease. This very significant neuroprotective activity of
ANAVEX 1-41 was found to be related to its combined sigma-1 and
muscarinic effects.

2) The novel anti-apoptotic mechanism of ANAVEX 1-41 that was attained at
extremely low doses of ANAVEX 1-41 (100-fold below the threshold for
unwanted muscarinic effects). Apoptosis is the predominant
pathophysiological aspect of the brain degeneration in AD, and protection
against this process could be an important therapeutic strategy. In
particular, the inositol triphosphate receptors calcium channels (IP3R)
upregulation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensors modulation
maintained the ER and the mitochondrion in the unfolded protein response
(UPR) adaptative status and protected against the triggering of apoptotic
processes.

Unlike the challenge of pro-amyloid and anti-amyloid theories of AD, Anavex Life
Sciences\' SIGMACEPTOR(TM) Discovery Platform sigma-1 activator molecules target
neuron structures (ER, mitochondrion) with the goal of preventing the
neurodegenerative action of the disturbed biochemical pathways and channels (UPR,
IP3R, Bcl-2, apoptosis), which recently emerged as putative crucial factors in AD as
well as many other neurodegenerative diseases.

\"We are pleased by our continued progress in the development of ANAVEX 1-41, and are
excited to be presenting data regarding its potent neuroprotective and
anti-apoptotic properties at such low doses at ICAD,\" said Dr. Vamvakides, Chief
Scientific Officer of ANAVEX. \"Based on our pre-clinical studies to date, we
continue to believe that ANAVEX 1-41 may offer disease-modifying options that
reverse memory and learning deficits and protect nerve cells from death.\"

The above-mentioned findings further support ANAVEX to progress ANAVEX 1-41 towards
Phase 1 human clinical trials.
The International Conference on Alzheimer\'s Disease is being held July 26-31, 2008
in Chicago, USA. Additional information is available on the conference web site at
http://www.alz.org/icad/overview.asp. The ANAVEX abstract can be viewed by visiting
http://www.alz.org/icad/abstract.asp and doing a search for \"Anavex\" using the
Online Program Planner.

About Alzheimer\'s disease
Alzheimer\'s disease is the most common cause of dementia and is characterized by the
progressive degeneration of cognition as a result of the destruction of nerve cells
in the brain. In March 2007, the Alzheimer\'s Association reported that 5.1 million
people in the United States (4.9 million of whom are aged 65 and older) are living
with Alzheimer\'s disease. This represents an increase of at least 10% from the
previous prevalence estimate of 4.5 million. By 2015, there could be as many as 16.8
million people with Alzheimer\'s disease in the major seven pharmaceutical markets
unless novel drug treatment therapies are discovered.
Medications currently available to treat Alzheimer\'s disease include
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D aspartate receptor antagonists. Both
types of medications only treat symptoms of the disease -- they do not stop the
onset and progression of Alzheimer\'s disease.
In conclusion, there are very real and unmet medical requirements for drug therapies
to treat Alzheimer\'s disease. The impressive market size leaves no doubt for the
business opportunity presented by treatments for Alzheimer\'s disease.
Drugs able to act on the underlying disease pathology and modify disease onset and
progression, demonstrating neuroprotective, anti-amnesic and preventive properties
combined with excellent safety and low toxicity, have the potential for blockbuster
sales.

About Sigma Receptors
Sigma receptors are a unique family of proteins, present mainly in the Central
Nervous System (CNS) but also in various peripheral tissues. The receptors are
classified in two subtypes: the sigma-1 and sigma-2. These subtypes are
distinguishable pharmacologically, functionally and by molecular size. Sigma-1
receptors have been cloned and shown to be distinct from any known receptor class.

In the CNS, they are involved in the modulation of neurotransmitter receptor
function, neurotransmitter release and response, as well as memory and learning
processes, demonstrating potential neuroprotective and anti-amnesic properties. The
modulatory action and the implication of numerous cellular and biochemical signaling
pathways suggest possible sigma receptor involvement in many neuronal processes, as
well as in the pathophysiology of certain psychiatric disorders including
depression, schizophrenia, motor disturbances, neuropathic pain, drug addiction, and
attention deficit disorders.

About ANAVEX
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is an emerging biopharmaceutical company
engaged in the discovery and development of novel drug targets for the treatment of
cancer and neurological diseases. The company\'s proprietary SIGMACEPTORT Discovery
Platform involves the rational drug design of compounds that fulfill specific
criteria based on unmet market needs and new scientific advances. Selected drug
candidates demonstrate high, non-exclusive affinity for sigma receptors, which are
involved in the modulation of multiple cellular biochemical signalling pathways.

ANAVEX\'s SIGMACEPTORT-N program involves the development of novel and original drug
candidates, targeting neurological and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer\'s
disease, epilepsy, depression). The company\'s lead drug candidates exhibit high
affinity and selectivity to sigma receptors and also synergetic action with other
receptors, such as Muscarinic, NMDA and ion channels, with strong evidence of
anti-amnesic, neuroprotective and anxiolytic properties.

ANAVEX\'s SIGMACEPTORT-C program involves the discovery and development of novel and
original drug candidates targeting cancer. The company\'s lead drug candidates
exhibit high, non-exclusive affinity to sigma receptors with strong evidence for
selective apoptosis of cancerous cells without affecting healthy cells, as well as
anti-metastatic and low toxicity properties in various types of solid tumors such as
colon, breast, prostate and melanoma.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements for Anavex Life Sciences
Corp. that involves a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results
may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various
factors. Among other things, there can be no assurance that any of the Company\'s
development efforts relating to its product candidate, ANAVEX 1-41, will be
successful, or such product candidate will be successfully commercialized or that
ANAVEX 1-41 will have the potential to treat Alzheimer\'s disease or other types of
neurodegenerative diseases or that ANAVEX 1-41 will provide clinically relevant
advantages over other competitive compounds in development. Other risks that affect
forward-looking information contained in this press release include the high degree
of risk associated with drug development, results of further research and
development, the impact of competition and of technological advances and other risks
detailed to ANAVEX\'s SEC filings. Other than as required by federal securities laws,
we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of changed circumstances, new information, future
events, or for any other reason occurring after the date of this news release.





Web Site: http://www.anavex.com

Contact Details:
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Research & Business Development
Email: info@anavex.com

Shareholder & Media Relations
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Email: info@anavex.com
www.anavex.com