RUNX1-based therapy to slow memory decline in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Development of a RUNX1 modulator to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease
Funded at Third Element Bio INC. · NIH-11355567 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small Phase I project is testing a RUNX1-targeting treatment to slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Third Element Bio INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $101,302 |
| NIH project number | 5R43AG087766-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355567 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 and older with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease who could participate in future human trials or related biomarker studies.
✕Less likely to help
Older adults without Alzheimer’s pathology or those unable to participate in animal-to-human translation studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a new CAST (antisense oligonucleotide) approach that lowers RUNX1 expression in microglia, aiming to improve brain cell function in aging and Alzheimer’s. Researchers will optimize the ASO lead candidate for safety and potency, and test its effects in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s using molecular biomarkers and behavior tests. If the therapy shows promise in animals, it could advance toward human studies to slow memory loss in AD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could become a novel treatment to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: This is an early, concept-to-proof-of-concept study; prior microglia-targeted approaches have shown mixed results, making this a novel/untested path.
Where this research is happening
-
Third Element Bio INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palmer, Carter Rodman — Third Element Bio INC.
- Study coordinator: Palmer, Carter Rodman
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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.