Anavex Life Sciences Corp. announced that the first patients with Rett syndrome from the ANAVEX®2-73-RS-003 study (EXCELLENCE) are able to continue treatment with ANAVEX®2-73 (blarcamesine) thanks to Health Canada's approval of the Special Access Program (SAP), allowing for compassionate use following completion of the 48-week Open-Label Extension study. Special Access Program (SAP) applications are granted at a physicians' request on behalf of patients.

Based on the safety profile of ANAVEX®2-73 (blarcamesine), as well as clinical evidence that the study drug will continue to benefit patients, Anavex will continue its responsibility to support patients post study by facilitating the supply of ANAVEX®2-73 (blarcamesine) to patients in Canada. Approved compassionate programs are also ongoing in the United Kingdom and Australia, representing all regions of the Rett Syndrome study participation. Health Canada's Special Access Program (SAP) for drugs enables drugs that are not marketed in Canada to be requested by practitioners for the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of serious or life-threatening conditions when conventional therapies have failed, are unsuitable, or are unavailable either as marketed products, or through enrollment in clinical trials.