Repurposing Siponimod for Alzheimer’s Disease
Official title: Repurposing Siponimod for Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center · NIH-10909266 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at trying siponimod, a drug approved for other conditions, to see if it can help people living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phoenix, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $684,437 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG073212-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909266 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease dementia who meet specific safety and eligibility criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not respond to the drug or may experience adverse effects.
What this research studies
This project explores whether siponimod, a medication that can affect the immune system and protect nerve cells, might help people with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers will work with Novartis to test this repurposed drug and its effects on Alzheimer’s-related biology. The study builds on past work in multiple sclerosis and animal models, aiming to translate findings into potential benefits for patients with AD. Participation would likely involve clinical and biomarker assessments to understand how the drug behaves in the brain and body over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new treatment options that target multiple Alzheimer’s pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in MS and animal studies suggest potential benefits, but human results in AD are still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sabbagh, Marwan Noel — St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sabbagh, Marwan Noel
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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.