TTP488

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive disorder that slowly kills nerve cells in the brain. First identified in 1907 by the German physician Alois Alzheimer, the illness afflicts some 18 million people worldwide today. At least one in 20 adults aged 65 and older suffers from the disease; one study found that 47 percent of those over age 85 have Alzheimer's disease. TransTech Pharma is currently researching important biological mechanisms to stop formation, deposition and accumulation of amyloid plaque, a hallmark of AD, via modulation of a signal transduction pathway. We are successfully utilizing our technology to discover orally active, potent, selective and safe drug candidates against Alzheimer's and related diseases.

TTP488 is an orally bioavailable small molecule antagonist of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts. The compound is being developed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

In the systemic amyloidosis mouse model, TTP488 is very effective in reducing the amyloid load and the expression of IL-6 and M-CSF in the spleen. In a disease-relevant model of AD, TTP488 was also very effective in reducing the amyloid burden in the brain following 90 days of treatment. In this study, TTP488 also demonstrated a reduction in latency time and distance traveled in the Morris Water Maze test compared to the vehicle control animals.

TTP488 was well tolerated in the Phase 1 single and multi-dose studies. A Phase 2a study in patients with AD has been completed and a Phase 2 study in patients with diabetic nephropathy has beeen initiated.

TTP488 has been licensed to Pfizer for worldwide development and commercialization.