TARGACEPT ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR TC-1734 STUDY

Targacept has announced positive results from its Phase II clinical trial of TC-1734 (AZD3480) in age associated memory impairment. TC-1734 is a highly selective alpha4 beta2 neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist. The compound is planned for development as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia under a collaboration agreement between Targacept and AstraZeneca.

The trial was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study conducted at 16 U.S. sites. Subjects were between the ages of 50 and 80, reported memory impairment without evidence of dementia, neurological illness or other medical cause and scored at least one standard deviation below the mean established for young adults on the Wechsler Memory Scale. Each subject received 25 mg or 50 mg doses of TC-1734 or placebo once daily for 16 weeks.