A new approach to treating Alzheimer's disease by targeting tau protein
Official title: Development of a novel Alzheimer's disease therapeutic targeting tau
Funded at Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-11192317 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research is developing new medicines to help people with Alzheimer's disease by focusing on a specific protein called tau.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newton, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2018 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $998,691 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AG060843-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192317 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This early-stage research is not yet recruiting patients, but future studies would likely seek individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Alzheimer's disease would not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.
What this research studies
Alzheimer's disease causes memory loss and thinking problems due to harmful protein buildups in the brain, including tau. Current medicines only help with symptoms for a while, but this project aims to create a treatment that directly addresses the tau protein. Researchers found that tau protein builds up in 'stress granules' in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. This project is working to develop new molecules that can stop these tau buildups, which could slow down or even stop the disease's progression. The goal is to prepare these new compounds for testing in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new medicine could offer a way to slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease, rather than just managing its symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: This approach builds on previous discoveries about tau protein in stress granules and has shown promising findings in earlier laboratory and animal studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals, INC.
Newton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Larsen, Glenn — Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals, INC.
- Study coordinator: Larsen, Glenn
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.