ACUMEN JOINS NEUROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION

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Kate Mulligan
Best Shot Communications
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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., October 23, 2006 –Acumen Pharmaceuticals, a leading pre-clinical biotech company in Alzheimer’s therapeutics, today announced that it has joined the Neurotechnology Industry Organization (NIO) as a charter member.  As a part of the newly formed NIO, the company will work along side other leading pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic companies as well as major academic brain research centers and patient advocacy groups to accelerate the development of treatments and cures for brain and nervous system diseases.

“The support of Acumen and our other founding members was crucial in launching NIO,” said Zack Lynch, founder and executive director of the Neurotechnology Industry Organization. “Our association is backed by leaders in the industry who will make it possible for us to educate governments, patients and the public about our role in the treatments that delay, prevent and cure chronic neurological diseases and psychiatric illnesses.”

“Acumen recognizes the need for an advocacy group that links those involved in delivering significantly better therapies for brain and nervous system illnesses,” said David Summa, President and CEO of Acumen. “NIO provides an ideal forum to identify and address the barriers that slow or limit advances in our field, and work collaboratively with others who also want to speed the development process.”

In addition to developing pharmaceuticals, the neurotechnology industry includes medical devices and diagnostic surgical equipment for Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, hearing loss, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, obesity, pain, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, stroke and other brain-related illnesses. In 2005, neurotechnology companies generated more than $110 billion in revenue.

“Acumen is a forward thinking company.  They typify the recent and exciting developments in the Alzheimer’s field.  Their founders identified what most today agree is the causative agent in the disease, and they are focused on developing a cure.  This offers hope to both patients and their caregivers,” said Zach Lynch. 

About Acumen

Acumen Pharmaceuticals Inc. (www.acumenpharm.com) is a venture-backed, pre-clinical biotech company focused on developing the first effective therapeutics and diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related disorders. Founded in 1996, Acumen owns or has licensed the critical patents underlying the ADDL mechanism now widely believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to ELISA-based diagnostic, Acumen has several therapeutic approaches to stop ADDL-related diseases. NeuroVentures LLC has made a seed investment in the company.

About the Neurotechnology Industry Organization

The Neurotechnology Industry Organization (NIO) is a non-profit trade association that represents a broad spectrum of companies involved in neurotechnology (drugs, devices and diagnostics), neuroscience research centers and brain disease advocacy groups across the United States and the world. NIO’s mission is to accelerate cures for brain and nervous system diseases by promoting the neurotechnology industry’s progress, advocating the industry’s position to government officials and providing business development services to its members. For information on the Neurotechnology Industry Organization, please visit www.neurotechindustry.org.