Allon Drugs Receive U.S. Patent for Treatment of Neuropathy

[Guest guest]

Allon Drugs Receive U.S. Patent for Treatment of Neuropathy

http://www.bctechnology.com/

Vancouver, BC, November 18, 2008--(T-Net)--Allon Therapeutics Inc.

(TSX:NPC) announced today that it has been issued a United States

patent covering the use of its neuroprotective drugs as potential

treatments for peripheral neuropathy, a group of debilitating and

painful conditions suffered by millions of people and resulting from

nerve damage for which there is currently no effective treatment

available. Among the major causes of neuropathy are diabetes and

cancer chemotherapy.

Gordon McCauley, President and CEO of Allon, said the Company expects

to begin human clinical trials in 2009 to evaluate product candidate

AL-309 as a treatment for the nerve damage that causes peripheral

neuropathy.

" Drug sales in the U.S. and Europe amount to approximately $4 billion

a year to treat neuropathic pain, yet these approved drugs are only

moderately effective and have virtually no impact on the nerve damage

that causes the pain, " said McCauley. " Our preclinical studies have

shown that AL-309 not only reduced the pain symptoms associated with

neuropathy but also decreased nerve damage. "

About peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can result from a variety of medical

conditions, the most significant of which is diabetes; from the side-

effects of drug treatments, such as cancer chemotherapy; and from

viral infections.

Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to peripheral nerves that

detect touch and painful stimuli. Symptoms include tingling,

hypersensitivity to light touch or painful stimuli and chronic pain.

These sensory problems can also proceed to numbness and loss of

sensitivity. Common qualities of the painful neuropathy include

burning or coldness, " pins and needles " sensations, numbness and

itching.

About Allon's neuroprotective platforms

Allon's two neuroprotective technology platforms are based on two

naturally occurring proteins produced by the brain in response to a

range of insults. The platforms are activity-dependent

neuroprotective protein (ADNP) and activity-dependent neurotrophic

factor (ADNF).

Because the two platforms are based on different proteins, the drugs

from each are different molecules with different therapeutic

mechanisms and distinct commercial opportunities. Clinical-stage

drugs AL-108 and AL-208 are derived from ADNP, while preclinical

stage drug AL-309 is derived from ADNF. ADNP drugs AL-108 and AL-208,

focused on Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment, are

administered intranasally and intravenously respectively. ADNF drug

candidate AL-309 is being developed for the treatment of peripheral

neuropathies and is administered orally or subcutaneously.

About Allon

Allon Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company

developing treatments for major neurodegenerative conditions. In Q1

2008, Allon's drug AL-108 demonstrated human efficacy in amnestic

mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. Allon

has Phase II human efficacy programs pursuing two large underserved

markets: Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia-related cognitive

impairment. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under

the trading symbol " NPC " (Neuro Protection CompanyTM) and based in

Vancouver. For additional information please visit the Company's

website: www.allontherapeutics.com.