Immtech International, Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (patent 6635668) and Australian patent office, IP Australia (patent 766814), have issued patents on a class of dicationic compounds known as aromatic amidine compounds that target Imidazoline receptors in the brain and other organs in the body. Treatment of Alzheimer's disease is listed in each of the patents as a potential application for the compounds. The patents were issued to members of the company's scientific consortium. Immtech has a worldwide exclusive license to commercialize products developed by the scientific consortium including the patented compounds.

Imidazoline receptors are a family of cell-surface proteins found in a variety of tissues throughout the body. Three general groups of these receptors are found in differing amounts and densities in nervous tissues, the kidneys and selected glands such as the prostate and pancreas. Compounds that stimulate these structures are known to affect important physiologies including stimulation of brain function, insulin secretion, the modulation of blood pressure and mood. Immtech's licensed library of aromatic amidine compounds have demonstrated high selectivity and affinity for Imidazoline receptors and are therefore generating substantial interest as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Stephen Thompson, president and CEO, stated, "The receipt of these patents strengthens Immtech's position to advance drug development programs for the treatment of Alzheimer's. It is an extremely complex and devastating disease, which affects the brain of approximately 18 million people worldwide. Alzheimer's debilitates an estimate 4.5 million Americans, resulting in approximately $24.6 billion in healthcare costs annually."