[news 2007-2008]

Queen’s University research leads to natural health product for memory protection

Dec. 12, 2008

For immediate release

KINGSTON, ON – A natural health product recently launched on the Canadian market has its beginnings in research at Queen’s University.

VIVIMIND™, a nutraceutical that has been shown to protect memory function, has been made available across Canada and via the internet by OVOS Natural Health Inc. of Laval, Quebec. The brand is based on a naturally occurring ingredient, homotaurine, found in certain seaweeds. Aimed at the over-40 market, VIVIMIND™ addresses the memory problems associated with aging.

Kingstonians may recognize the product name from large orange “Test Your Memory” billboards that have recently sprung up around the city. Individuals can test their memory at www.vivimind.com and see how their test results compare with other individuals from the same age group. The product is available on local pharmacy shelves in the natural health products section.

The result of more than 15 years of scientific research, including clinical trials with more than 2,000 people in Canada, the United States and Europe, VIVIMIND™ is based in part on decades of research into amyloid proteins by Drs. Robert Kisilevsky, Walter Szarek and Donald Weaver of Queen’s University. Their work was protected and commercialized by PARTEQ Innovations, the technology transfer office of Queen’s.

Research has shown that homotaurine reduces deposits of toxic proteins known as beta amyloids, which, in excessive levels, can kill brain cells. These deposits are believed to be associated with shrinkage of the hippocampus, an important region of the brain responsible for learning and memory.  A common effect of aging, shrinkage of the hippocampus has been associated with reductions in a person’s cognitive abilities -- such as verbal skills, memory, comprehension, and planning. Results from a Phase III study showed that, versus placebo, VIVIMINDTM reduced by 68% the loss of hippocampal volume over an 18-month period and resulted in a 33% less decline on cognitive test performance at one year.

In addition to VIVIMIND™, the Queen’s researchers’ work also forms the basis of a drug candidate for the treatment of Amyloid A amyloidosis now being developed by BELLUS Health Inc. of Laval. BELLUS Health is a spinoff company of Queen’s University and is the parent company of OVOS Natural Health.

“When Dr. Kisilevsky brought his discovery to us more than 20 years ago, we had no idea of the breadth of the impacts that would result,” says John Molloy, President and CEO of PARTEQ. “As well as leading to the development of a natural health product, his work and that of his team also stimulated the creation of two successful Canadian spinoff companies. Today, this research continues to be developed into a drug candidate for the treatment of AA Amyloidosis.”

Contact:

John Molloy

President & CEO

PARTEQ Innovations

P: 613. 533. 2342

E: jmolloy@parteqinnovations.com

About BELLUS Health:

BELLUS Health is a global health company focused on the development and commercialization of products to provide innovative health solutions to address critical unmet needs. Its pharmaceutical strategy targets disorders for which there are currently no known cures and limited therapies and includes the development of investigational product candidates for the treatment of Amyloid A Amyloidosis, Type II diabetes and certain features of metabolic syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease.

BellusHealth.com

About OVOS Natural Health:

A member of the BELLUS Health group of companies, OVOS Natural Health Inc. is devoted to the commercialization of brands made with quality ingredients under Good Manufacturing Practice standards that can be trusted to deliver self-care, evidence-based health solutions.

Ovos.com