Cassava Sciences (SAVA) Says No Evidence of Data Manipulation in Science Publication on Simufilam

Cassava Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAVA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on Alzheimer’s disease, was recently informed by the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (JPAD) that there is no convincing evidence to support allegations of data manipulation in a 2020 paper on simufilam co-authored by the Company’s personnel and its science collaborators.

JPAD communicated the following statement to the Company on Monday, August 15th after the close of market, which is reprinted in full below:

“We have completed our review of your article “PTI-125 Reduces Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease in Patients” (JPAD 2020;7(4):256-264). We do not find convincing evidence of manipulation of data or intent to mislead, and therefore take no action regarding the published paper.”

“From the onset, I have said that allegations of research misconduct are false, and for good reason – I see no supporting evidence for the allegations,” said Remi Barbier, President & CEO. “I’m hopeful that written pronouncements from neutral and independent science experts will help close the chapter of baseless attacks against our science. At some point it becomes irrational for our detractors to repeat over and over again the same old tired mantra of data manipulation.”

• In May 2022, Neurobiology of Aging investigated and found no evidence of data manipulation in a paper on simufilam published in that journal in 2017. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief stated: “A reader has made the editors aware of concerns regarding the above-referenced report published at Neurobiology of Aging [i.e., “PTI-125 binds and reverses an altered conformation of filamin A to reduce Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.” Neurobiol. Aging, 55:99-114]. These issues were conveyed to the authors, who provided a detailed response, including images of relevant uncropped western blots and photomicrographs, as the editor requested. The material was evaluated by an independent expert with relevant methodological expertise, the manuscript was scanned by AI-based figure proofing software (i.e., Proofig), and all available input was considered by the handling editor and Editor-in-Chief. Overall, the editors did not find compelling evidence of data manipulation intended to misrepresent the results.” The journal’s full notice is available on-line:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197458022000562?via%3Dihub

• In December 2021, Cassava Sciences announced that Neuroscience investigated and found no evidence of data manipulation in a paper published in that journal in 2005. The Editor-in-Chief stated: “After careful examination of these original material, Neuroscience found no evidence of manipulation of the western blot data or other figures of this publication.” The journal’s full editorial note is available on-line: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306452221005789?via%3Dihub

• In November 2021, Cassava Sciences announced that The Journal of Neuroscience investigated and found no evidence of data manipulation in a paper on simufilam published in that journal in July 2012. The Editor-in-Chief previously authorized Cassava Sciences to share a statement on this matter, including: “No evidence of data manipulation was found for Western blot data.” The full statement provided to the Company and the journal’s full notice are both available on-line:https://www.cassavasciences.com/news-releases/news-release-details/review-journal-neuroscience-shows-no-evidence-data-manipulationhttps://www.jneurosci.org/content/42/3/529

A related investigation by academic authorities at The City University of New York (CUNY) is ongoing. Pending a public response from CUNY, both Neurobiology of Aging and Journal of Neuroscience previously issued an outstanding “expression of concern”, which is a non-standardized type of editorial notice used by academic publishers to raise awareness to a possible problem, according to the Council of Science Editors (2012).

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