R4996/MEM 63908
Among other pathological abnormalities, Alzheimer's patients typically exhibit amyloid plaques, which are clumps of protein that form deposits around neurons. Preclinical data from several laboratories suggests that the amyloid protein from which these plaques are formed disrupts the function of the nicotinic alpha-7 receptor. We believe that as a partial agonist of the nicotinic alpha-7 receptor, R4996/MEM 63908 could overcome the effect of the amyloid protein and thereby be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
We have conducted animal tests of R4996/MEM 63908 to assess its effect on learning and memory. In these tests, R4996/MEM 63908 improved learning and memory in healthy and aged cognitively impaired animals. R4996/MEM 63908 has also demonstrated a good safety profile in toxicological and safety studies.
R4996/MEM 63908 is being developed under our 2003 collaboration with Roche (as amended).
In August 2007 we commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial program for R4996/MEM 63908.