Newsroom 2006
Attention News/Business/Assignment/Sports/Health Editors:
NEUROCHEM and BMO support an expedition to Alaska for Alzheimer's disease - The ALASKA 2006 expedition will be undertaken by four young entrepreneurs from Montreal
MONTREAL, May 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Neurochem Inc., recognized for its
research and development for a potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease,
along with BMO Financial Group, have decided to join forces to support the
initiative of four young entrepreneurs from Montreal who will begin a perilous
adventure in Alaska on June 2 to help in the fight against Alzheimer's
disease.
After having conquered Aconcagua Mountain in Argentina last year,
Philippe Boisclair, 37, Stephan Côté, 38, Eric Boyko, 35 and Christian Labbé,
34, are preparing to climb another mountain, this time in -40 degrees weather.
They will scale Alaska's Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America at an
altitude of more than 6,194 m (20,320 feet).
In conjunction with Philippe Boisclair, whose father was diagnosed with
Alzheimer's disease a few years ago, the group decided that their adventures
could benefit people suffering from this degenerative disease as well as the
people who support them. The intrepid companions hope to raise at least
$250,000 for the Montreal Alzheimer's Society which is celebrating its 25th
anniversary this year. The donations collected by Expedition ALASKA 2006 will
go directly to the Society. Among the possible uses for these funds is the
Alzheimer's Manor project, a home for Alzheimer's sufferers and their
families.
Thrilled to support the Expedition ALASKA 2006, the Chairman, President,
and Chief Executive Officer of Neurochem Inc., Dr. Francesco Bellini, stated:
"We are very happy to contribute to the success of an activity for the benefit
of patients afflicted by Alzheimer's disease as well as their caregivers. Our
hope is to introduce to the market our product candidate Alzhemed(TM),
developed to stop or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Our clinical
trials are progressing well, and the results should be available next year.
Very soon we hope to be able to provide solutions that will help people
affected by this terrible disease."
For his part, L. Jacques Ménard, Chairman of BMO Financial Group (Quebec)
is delighted to be able to take part in this adventure, which will help raise
funds critical in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. "BMO has helped
Canadian communities thrive since it started business in 1817. We are happy to
have the opportunity to encourage this young, dynamic and bold team and to
join them in supporting a cause we hold close to our hearts," Mr. Ménard
stated. He also noted that the increased aging of the population of Quebec
will result in an increase in the number of people diagnosed with this
degenerative disease.
After months of training and preparation, the adventurers, veterans of
sailing races, back country skiing, marathons and mountaineering say they are
in top shape. "We are ready, once again!" said Eric Boyko, the group's
spokesman. "In addition to our physical and mental preparation, we took the
time to re-examine some additional safety requirements with our friend
Horacio, one of our invaluable guides who helped bring us to the top of
Aconcagua Mountain last year and who will be with us on the expedition next
week. Before attacking this frozen monster, we want to make a point of
thanking our generous donors, both current and potential, and we intend to do
honour to all our supporters," he added.
The expedition could last nearly thirty days. Starting today, donors can
encourage the team through donations made directly to the Montreal Alzheimer's
Society by calling them at (514) 369-0800, or by making a donation online at
www.efundraising.com/alaska. Updates on the expedition will also be made
available daily on this site. The option of making a donation online is a
first in Canada for eFundraising.com. The public is also invited to accumulate
donations for the Montreal Alzheimer's Society by using the site's secure
online magazine subscription program to subscribe to any of a number of
renowned publications. Each subscription is priced at a savings of up to 85%
off newsstand prices. Moreover, 40% of the cost of each subscription or
renewal will be directly forwarded to the cause.
Stéphane Côté is president of Développements McGill; Eric Boyko is
president of eFundraising.com; Philippe Boisclair is president of Canadian
Wood Products and co-founder of Développements McGill; and Christian Labbé is
Associate Director of Summit Forest Products.
Neurochem Inc., based in Laval, is focused on the development and
commercialization of innovative therapeutics to address critical unmet medical
needs. Eprodisate (Fibrillex(TM)) is designated as an orphan drug, is a Fast
Track product candidate and is also part of the US Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) Continuous Marketing Application Pilot 1 and Pilot 2
programs. In April 2006, the FDA filed and granted the Eeprodisate
(Fibrillex(TM)) new drug application for priority review. Tramiprosate
(Alzhemed(TM)), for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, is currently in
Phase III clinical trials in both North America and Europe and tramiprosate
(Cerebril(TM)), for the prevention of Hemorrhagic Stroke caused by Cerebral
Amyloid Angiopathy, has completed a Phase IIa clinical trial.
Since its foundation in 1817 under the name Bank of Montreal, BMO
Financial Group believes in community investment and in corporate
responsibility towards communities in which it operates. In 2005, BMO
Financial Group donated $29.5 million in gifts, sponsorships and events in
Canada to support thousands of communities, charitable works and non-profit
organizations across the country. BMO was also named Best Corporate Citizen in
Canada in 2005 by the Corporate Knights. BMO Bank of Montreal has 159 branches
in Quebec and BMO Nesbitt Burns has 17 offices. BMO employs nearly 5,000
people in the province.
The Alzheimer's Society of Montreal aims to alleviate the personal and
social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and of related conditions, as well
as to promote research into their causes and cures.
Press documents and photographs are available.
Interviews can be scheduled before the team's departure as well as during
their ascent via satellite.
For further information: Pierre-Yves Beauchemin, Public relations,
Expedition ALASKA 2006, (514) 697-8354, Cell: (514) 591-3885,
pybeauchemin@videotron.ca, www.efundraising.com/alaska; Lise Hébert, Ph.D.
Vice President, Corporate Communications, Neurochem Inc., (450) 680-4570,
lhebert@neurochem.com; Ronald Monet Director of Communications, BMO Financial
Group, (514) 877-1101, ronald.monet@bmo.com; Jocelyne Evraire, Director of
Finance, Montreal Alzheimer's Society, (514) 369-0800,
www.alzheimermontreal.ca
