ASTRO-PROTECT

The failure of the latest therapies in development for Alzheimer's disease underscores the urgency of developing new strategies that will absolutely have to target the early phases of the disease and focus on neuroprotection.

We have identified a new player involved very early in the development of Alzheimer's disease (TRAP1 channel), which has led to a drug candidate with neuroprotective goals. We have validated the relevance and efficacy of this treatment in a preclinical study.

Our strategy consisted in treating not the neurons themselves but the partner cells, the astrocytes. This treatment, initiated in the asymptomatic phases of the pathology, prevents all the damage and dysfunctions reported in the pathology.

Our longitudinal study demonstrated the efficacy of the treatment on all the markers and symptoms classically described (loss of synaptic density, neuronal dysfunctions, senile plaques, memory disorders) and its safety on healthy animals.

Initially, we are targeting familial forms of Alzheimer's disease on cohorts of young and asymptomatic patients who are genetically screened and followed for preventive treatment. Later on, thanks to the development of early diagnosis, we hope to be able to extend this research to other groups of patients in personalized medicine mode.