Cognitive Pharma

Technology & Products:
Our initial goal is the expedient development and commercialization of CDD-0102. Existing treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease inhibit breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, briefly improving memory and behavior, but not attenuating disease progression. CDD-0102 is a selective M1 muscarinic agonist that binds to and activates receptors associated with memory pathways, but not muscarinic receptors responsible for unwanted side-effects. Findings indicate that CDD-0102 has the potential to replace acetylcholine at M1 receptors, improving memory and ameliorating behavioral problems. M1 muscarinic receptors are also linked to pathways that stimulate a-secretase activity, potentially preventing accumulation of b-amyloid protein in brain that leads to plaque formation and eventual death. CDD-0102 effectively activates a-secretase under a variety of conditions, in cells expressing wild-type presenilin-1 (PSI) and amyloid precursor protein (APP), mutant PSI and wild-type APP, and mutant PSI and APP, suggesting potential efficacy in familial forms of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Studies have been designed to further evaluate the potential beneficial effects of CDD-0102 and to achieve development milestones culminating in the submission of an IND application. Supplies of an appropriate salt form of CDD-0102 will be synthesized, incorporating process improvements and scale-up considerations. Initial formulation studies are planned, chemical and manufacturing controls will be addressed. Analytical procedures will be developed to support in vitro and in vivo metabolism studies, characterization of metabolites, and potential drug-drug interactions. Additional product testing will be outsourced where appropriate, most notably the GLP compliant pharmacokinetic and animal toxicology studies.