Valiltramiprosate/ALZ-801 acts upstream in amyloid cascade
Mechanism of action publications: Gervais (2007), Kocis (2017); Hey (2018), Liang (2019), Hey (2024), Abushakra (2024), Shastri (2025), Muramatsu (2025). * Effects from non-clinical studies
Neurotoxic soluble amyloid oligomers present early in AD
Our lead product candidate, valiltramiprosate, is designed to inhibit amyloid oligomer formation, a key driver of Alzheimer’s disease. We believe valiltramiprosate has the potential to be differentiated from other emerging therapies targeting Alzheimer’s disease pathology due to its novel mechanism of action, oral mode of administration and potential efficacy in a genetically-targeted population. If our development program is successful and valiltramiprosate is approved, it has the potential to be among the first drugs to intervene in an underlying mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Soluble amyloid oligomers damage neurons & synapses
- Oligomer levels in brain increase & drive clinical progression
- APOE4/4 homozygotes form more oligomers leading to an earlier disease onset
- Targeting oligomers in AD patients supported by clinical benefits in antibody programs
Alzheon publications: Tolar (2024) Int J Mol Sci; Tolar (2021) Int J Mol Sci; Tolar (2020) Alzheimers Res Ther; Tolar (2019) Alzheimers Dement; Kocis (2017) CNS Drugs; Hey (2018) Clin Pharmacokinet; Hey (2018) CNS Drugs
Enveloping mechanism of action of valiltramiprosate
Multiple molecules bind to amyloid & inhibits toxic oligomer formation in non-clinical studies
- Several molecules surround & interact with beta amyloid monomers
- Stabilize shape of amyloid monomers & block formation of neurotoxic oligomers
- Interact with key amino acids on beta amyloid monomer
Alzheon publications: Hey (2018) CNS Drugs; Kocis (2017) CNS Drugs
Valiltramiprosate protects native state of beta amyloid protein
Multiple molecules of valiltramiprosate form an enveloping cloud around Aβ42 amyloid monomer that maintains its native shape & prevents aggregation into toxic oligomers
Amyloid conformation enforced by valiltramiprosate
Influenced by surrounding cloud of excess valiltramiprosate molecules, Aβ42 amyloid monomer adopts shape that blocks formation of oligomers
Amyloid oligomers drive neurotoxicity & tau pathology
Injured neurons release misfolded tau protein that aggregates into tangles
Alzheon publication: Tolar (2024) Int J Mol Sci; Milà-Alomà (2022) Nat Med; Hansson (2021) Nat Med, Karikari (2020) Lancet Neurol
Amyloid clearance from brain to plasma via astrocyte end-feet on capillaries & by glial uptake
