Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation Supports Madera Biosciences with a Grant to Advance Novel Drug Candidates for Alzheimer's Disease

Aug. 24, 2011 -- The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) announced that it has awarded a grant of $294,000 to Madera Biosciences, Inc. to develop small molecule drugs designed to clear accumulated beta-amyloid from the brain and thus halt or reverse the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Madera has identified a series of proprietary compounds that increase the expression of apolipoprotein E (apoE), which has been shown to mediate beta-amyloid clearance from the brain and prevent its accumulation into the plaques that are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. ApoE is a lipid binding protein that circulates in the blood and the brain and remains the single greatest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Increasing the release of apoE from brain cells has actually been shown to decrease beta-amyloid plaques and improve cognitive function in animal models.

Madera's novel, drug-like compounds help to facilitate the release of apoE, aid the beta-amyloid clearance process and are hypothesized to improve symptoms, slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and potentially reverse the course of the disease. The ADDF's grant will fund Madera's program to optimize these compounds for proof-of-concept testing... Madera Biosciences' News -

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Saladax Biomedical, Inc. Expand Collaboration for Diagnostic Assays for Alzheimer’s Disease

September 20, 2011 - Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and Saladax Biomedical, Inc., announced they have expanded their multi-year agreement covering the development and commercialization of diagnostic assays for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease to include Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.

Under the terms of the agreement, the three companies will collaborate globally on the development and regulatory approvals for certain diagnostic assays. Commercialization of the assays will be governed by a separate agreement between Saladax and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

“This expanded collaboration demonstrates Bristol-Myers Squibb’s support of the evolution and continued growth of our neuroscience business and our commitment to Alzheimer’s disease,” said Jane Tiller, vice president, Neuroscience and Global Development Lead, Alzheimer's disease, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “By pursuing the development of validated assays that could assist physicians in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, we can continue to advance the understanding and treatment of this complex and devastating disease.”

"This strategic alliance shows the value Saladax can bring in the companion diagnostics space and in Alzheimer’s disease specifically... Bristol-Myers Squibb's Press Releases -

Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals : Alzheimer's Global Licensing Deal with CoPlex Therapeutics

September 6, 2011 – Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced an exclusive global licensing deal with CoPlex Therapeutics on hawAD14, a preclinical oral small molecule candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

 Under the terms of the agreement, Hawthorn will receive an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize hawAD14 and will be responsible for funding all future development.

 Research indicates hawAD14 significantly decreases levels of Amyloid Beta (Aß) and tau phosphorylation activity, the main constituents of amyloid plaques and paired helical filaments that make up neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease... Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals' Press Release -

Evotec and Roche agree to develop compound that could slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease

5 September 2011: Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX) and Roche AG (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide agreement for the development and commercialization of Evotec's MAO-B inhibitor in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
 

Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will pay Evotec an upfront fee of $10 million. Evotec could receive further development and commercial milestone payments of up to $820 million as well as tiered double-digit royalties on sales. Roche will initiate studies in 2012 to demonstrate proof of concept and will be responsible for all clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization activities.

Evotec's compound (EVT 302) is a novel, potent inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B), an enzyme that breaks down the chemical messenger dopamine in the brain and contributes to the production of free radicals. Free radicals are known to cause oxidative stress which may contribute to pathogenesis of AD as demonstrated by the up-regulation of MAO-B expression in the brain of AD patients. For these reasons, the selective MAO-B inhibitor is targeted to treat AD symptoms and potentially slow disease progression... Evotec's Press Release -