Neurochem Inc announces the issuance of a patent in the U.S. No. 6,306,909 relating to the Company's Epilepsy program. The U.S. patent was issued to Neurochem's research collaborators in the field of Epilepsy at Queen's University.

"The addition of this patent further strengthens our CNS intellectual property portfolio," said Dr. Louis R. Lamontagne, President and CEO of Neurochem. "The U.S. patent issued in this area gives us a solid base for further investigation of our innovative Epilepsy research platform. Queen's University was recently awarded a grant totalling $398,600 for its research program with Neurochem from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)," he added.

Neurochem's novel Epilepsy program aims at introducing a new class of drugs. Accordingly, the Company is focusing on the development of an innovative treatment with the objective of not only blocking seizures and convulsions associated with the disease, but also of preventing the progression of the disease. The dual-action lead drug candidates identified by the Company are expected to act both as an anti-convulsant - to prevent seizures, as well as an anti-epileptogenic - to prevent the genesis and progression of the disease itself. The issued patent covers methods and compounds useful for the inhibition or prevention of convulsive disorders, including epilepsy. Lead candidates have been identified and are currently undergoing toxicity studies.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by seizures involving a loss of normal movement, disrupted consciousness and convulsions. It is a devastating condition, which is complicated by the multiplicity of its causal factors. Worldwide there is an estimated 45 million patients suffering from Epilepsy. Neurochem has identified a large unmet clinical need for new therapeutic options for Epilepsy that offers both a cure for the disease and relief of the symptoms.