Funding for novel lysosomal protease inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
January 24, 2024Alzheimer’s disease is becoming a healthcare burden of epidemic proportions for which there is no cure. UvA researcher Dr. Ewelina Weglarz-Tomczak addresses the underlying molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in the disease. She will be bringing her invention one step closer to clinic with a €100,000 proof-of-concept grant by IXA to evaluate the designed lead structures in cell-based models.
It is estimated that there are approximately 44 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or a related form of dementia. AD has no cure, there are two recently approved antibody treatments that demonstrate removing β-amyloid (βA), one of the hallmarks of AD. Still, they are highly controversial due to their severe side effects such as brain swelling or bleeding (up to 40% of patients).
New treatment with novel lysosomal protease inhibitors
Dr. Ewelina Weglarz-Tomczak’s approach addresses the underlying biology of the disease by targeting two highly specified lysosomal protease (proteolytic enzyme located in lysosomes which
breaks down targeted proteins) which are the key factors in the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in AD. AI-powered technology developed by NatInLab (spin-off company of Dr. Ewelina Weglarz-Tomczak’s) has led to the discovery of how that protease is controlled in the human organism. Based on this knowledge, developing novel, highly effective and safe inhibitors of targeted protease is possible.
Proof-of-concept grant
IXA has provided Dr. Ewelina Weglarz-Tomczak support in bringing her invention one step closer to clinic with a €100,000 proof-of-concept grant to evaluate the designed lead structures in cell-based models. The project aims to deliver new agents against Alzheimer’s and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases as the next step.
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