Peptides offer prospects for Alzheimer's treatment

Western Australian biotech company Alzhyme has licensed a range of peptides, developed at the University of Tasmania, which have the potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Engineered from a natural protein known to play a critical role in the regeneration of neural cells in the human brain, the emtin peptides have the ability to offer protection from some of the toxic processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The emtin technology has been 10 years in the making, led principally by Professor Adrian West.

“This and related work demonstrates that emtins have significant potential to reduce the neurochemical processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and to promote regenerative growth of damaged neurons,” Professor West said.

“The hope is that emtins form the basis of a new class of therapeutic compounds that are able to promote recovery from a range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s.”

The university’s director of business development and technology transfer, Dr Darren Cundy, said the licence is the essential next step in the development of emtins and will provide access to expertise and support for a comprehensive trial of its properties, as well as upfront and milestone payments.

Alzhyme CEO Matt Liddelow said his company’s strategy is “to invest in a number of disease management options that will ultimately arrest the progression of this debilitating disease”.

“In addition to its potential as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, and based on its neuroregenerative capability, the emtin peptides also offer huge potential to be developed as therapeutic treatments for a number of other neurodegenerative conditions which also lack effective treatment options,” he said.