Anavex Life Sciences Appoints New Senior Vice President of Neurology
NEW YORK, Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: AVXL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative treatments for neurological disorders, has announced the appointment of Wolfgang Liedtke, MD PhD, as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Neurology. This strategic addition comes as Anavex continues its mission to enhance therapeutic options for neurological conditions including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Wolfgang Liedtke’s Extensive Experience
Dr. Liedtke is a board-certified neurologist with over 25 years of expertise in developing groundbreaking medicines for a variety of central nervous system (CNS) ailments. He previously served as Chair of Neurology at Regeneron, where he oversaw the integration of discovery into a robust portfolio of clinical trials, including 14 Phase 3 studies.
His notable accomplishments include:
- Leadership in a CNS clinical trial involving over 11,000 patients.
- Successful contributions to late-stage trials of dupilumab.
- Authorship of more than 160 peer-reviewed publications, achieving an impressive h-index of 82.
Statements from Anavex Executives
Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and CEO of Anavex, expressed enthusiasm about Dr. Liedtke’s appointment, stating, “I'm delighted to welcome Dr. Liedtke to Anavex at this crucial moment. His substantial experience will play an essential role in enhancing value for both patients and shareholders.”
Dr. Liedtke himself noted, “There is a major global unmet need in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and neurodevelopmental disorders. I believe Anavex’s innovative, patient-oriented precision medicine approach can meaningfully improve patient outcomes.”
Background and Expertise
Prior to his tenure at Regeneron, Dr. Liedtke spent 17 years at Duke University as a Tenured Full Professor, where he founded the Duke Pain Research Group and established pain-focused clinics that treated over 5,000 patients. He has also served as Assistant Professor at The Rockefeller University, contributing significantly to the understanding of neuroinflammation and pain mechanisms.
His work includes:
- Discovery of the TRPV4 ion channel, which is crucial in neuroinflammation and associated hereditary disorders.
- Key insights into the regulation of the KCC2 neuronal chloride transporter, impacting neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Numerous U.S. patents and recent election into the prestigious American Clinical and Climatological Association (ACCA).
About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: AVXL) is committed to developing novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The company's leading drug candidate, ANAVEX®2-73 (blarcamesine), has shown promise in multiple clinical trials, including:
- Phase 2a and Phase 2b/3 trials for Alzheimer's disease.
- A Phase 2 proof-of-concept study for Parkinson's disease dementia.
- Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies in adult patients and pediatric patients with Rett syndrome.
ANAVEX®2-73 operates by targeting SIGMAR1 and muscarinic receptors, demonstrating potential neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties. The company is also developing ANAVEX®3-71, which aims to modify the course of Alzheimer's disease.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are predictions based on current information and expectations, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on these statements.
Contact Information
For further inquiries, please reach out to:
- Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
- Research & Business Development:
- Email: info@anavex.com
- Investors:
- Andrew J. Barwicki, Investor Relations - Tel: 516-662-9461, Email: andrew@barwicki.com