June, 22nd 2011 - Axxam awarded a Research Grant by the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation to develop Novel Therapeutics for Alzheimer’s DiseaseThe Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and Axxam SpA entered a collaboration to develop small molecules to treat Alzheimer’s disease by targeting inflammation.
Under the terms of this agreement, Axxam will screen its extensive chemical library to identify compounds that block the puringeric receptor, P2X7, which is involved in inflammation in the brain.
One of the characteristic features of Alzheimer’s disease is a robust inflammatory response involving over-activation of specialized brain cells called microglia and the release of pro-inflammatory signals associated with the deposition of Alzheimer’s disease plaques in the brain. These pro-inflammatory signals are closely associated with the P2X7 receptor, putting this novel target at the heart of brain inflammation.
Compounds that block P2X7 may treat brain inflammation and can potentially be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases... [PDF] Axxam's Press Release -
