Verdiperstat for semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) linked to TDP‑43
Official title: Veri-T: A phase 1 Placebo-Controlled Trial of Verdiperstat in Semantic Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia Due to Underlying FTLD-TDP
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11179299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Adults with semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) will receive Verdiperstat or placebo to find safe doses and look for early signs it affects disease markers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $688,110 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG073482-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11179299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) consistent with underlying FTLD‑TDP who meet the study's medical and safety criteria are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People whose language problems are due to other conditions, who are medically ineligible, or who cannot tolerate the study drug may not receive benefit from participating.
What this research studies
You would join a multi-site, double-blind, randomized trial where neither you nor the team knows who gets Verdiperstat or placebo. The study enrolls sequential cohorts to test two oral dose levels and watches for safety, tolerability, and early biological effects. Visits include clinical exams and biomarker tests guided by the ALLFTD research network to track any changes. The goal is to set up larger trials if the drug appears safe and shows target engagement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Verdiperstat could reduce harmful inflammation linked to TDP‑43 and pave the way for treatments that slow svPPA and related TDP‑43 dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies support targeting myeloperoxidase (MPO) in TDP‑43 disease, but human clinical proof of benefit is limited and this is an early-phase clinical test.
Where this research is happening
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University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ljubenkov, Peter Alexander — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ljubenkov, Peter Alexander
Related research
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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.