NEW YORK, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) announced today that
it has awarded a grant to Axxam SpA to develop small molecules to
treat Alzheimer’s disease by targeting inflammation.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090805/DC57332LOGO)
The award will fund a drug discovery project 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,” said Howard Fillit, MD,
Executive Director, ADDF. “P2X7 is a novel target and we are
excited to fund the program and investigate its therapeutic
potential.”
“We are pleased to be selected by the ADDF for this
peer-reviewed grant, which recognizes the quality of our research
capabilities in the challenging field of neuroinflammation.” Said
Stefan Lohmer, co-founder and CEO of Axxam. “We are looking
forward to working with the ADDF team and moving our Alzheimer’s
disease program forward.”
For more information about the ADDF or to speak with Dr.
Fillit, please contact Filomena Machleder at 212-901-8004 or
[email protected]. For more information about
Axxam, please contact Stefan Lohmer, PhD, CEO, Axxam at +39 02
2105622 or ‘/>”/>
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