Growth Ahead for NeoTherapeutics

NeoTherapeutics Inc., flush with millions after an initial public offering last year, is bursting with growth. “The offering allowed us to scale everything up,” said Michelle Glasky, the company’s director of scientific affairs.

The tiny Irvine drug development company was founded 10 years ago by her father, Alvin J. Glasky, a scientist, who is also its chief executive and top inventor. A year ago, it employed four and worked out of a small office.

But its payroll has since jumped to 25--and is expected to double in the next year, said Glasky. Accordingly, the company just moved into expanded quarters in a 34,320-square-foot building in the Spectrum.

Last week, it announced plans to test the safety of its experimental Alzheimer’s treatment in eight healthy U.S. senior citizens. Earlier tests on 10 Canadian patients with mild forms of the disease indicated the drug’s safety, said Michelle Glasky.

She said that tests in mice have indicated that the drug AIT-082 reversed or prevented memory loss and that other tests indicated the drug could restore memory in rats with brain lesions. If the drug proves safe in the U.S. human tests, Glasky said, the company will test the drug’s effectiveness next year.

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Barbara Marsh covers health care for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7762 and at barbara.marsh@latimes.com