Small molecule therapy for Alzheimer's disease
Official title: SMALL MOLECULE THERAPEUTIC FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Funded at Somatolynk, INC. · NIH-11408113 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small-molecule drug aimed at treating Alzheimer’s disease is being developed to help people, especially older adults, by targeting brain pathways involved in the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Somatolynk, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edwardsville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,246,200 |
| NIH project number | 2R42AG080914-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408113 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, particularly those 65 and older, who may be eligible for future clinical development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Alzheimer’s disease or those who do not respond to SST4-targeted approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project is advancing a first-in-class SST4 agonist to potentially slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease progression. The work combines computer-aided drug design, chemical synthesis, and lab tests to pick a promising candidate with good brain uptake. If successful, the candidate would move toward manufacturing under GMP and subsequent clinical testing. The research focuses on improving outcomes for people with Alzheimer’s by addressing underlying disease processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could slow cognitive decline and pathology in Alzheimer's disease and pave the way for a new treatment option.
How similar studies have gone: Prior similar drug-development efforts have shown that targeted brain receptors can influence disease biomarkers and cognition, though this exact SST4 approach is in early stages.
Where this research is happening
-
Somatolynk, INC.
Edwardsville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Witt, Kenneth Alexander — Somatolynk, INC.
- Study coordinator: Witt, Kenneth Alexander
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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.