By targeting toxic protein clumps in the brain, Dr. Martin Tolar, founder-CEO of Alzheon, aims to outsmart Alzheimer’s decades ahead of symptoms – and reshape global neurology.
Dr. Adil Ali
– 5 min read
Can you give us an update on your lead asset, ALZ-801?
We have built a product platform focusing on Alzheimer’s disease. We discovered that neurodegeneration is caused by proteins that get trapped in the brain and tend to aggregate into small aggregates called oligomers, which behave like prions. We have been working with Dr. Stanley Prusiner, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of prions, neurotoxic proteinaceous particles that cause neurodegenerative disorders.
Our platform involves small molecules that stabilize proteins and increase their clearance from the brain. Our drug prevents formation of toxic amyloid aggregates and allows them to be cleared from the brain. ALZ-801 is our lead compound, an oral drug that has recently completed its pivotal Phase 3 trial.
We are in discussions with the FDA and other regulatory bodies and have lots of interest from large Pharmas. We also have backup compounds that could be differentiated from current treatments. Additionally, our platform could potentially be used against other neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and ALS.