Some experts call Alzheimer’s “type 3 diabetes” due to the role of insulin resistance. A 2022 review in Frontiers in Endocrinology1 speculated that GLP-1-targeting drugs for diabetes might be repurposed for Alzheimer’s. Early research showed that GLP-1 receptor agonists can mitigate neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, two key contributors to Alzheimer’s. Recent results from the Phase II ELAD study, funded by ADDF, revealed that Novo Nordisk’s liraglutide slowed the progression of Alzheimer’s in patients, compared to a placebo. In 2021, Novo Nordisk initiated two Phase III trials, EVOKE and EVOKE Plus, with outcomes expected by September 2025.
However, Christian Hölscher, co-founder and chief scientific officer at Kariya Pharmaceuticals, pointed out the challenge of current drugs like liraglutide and semaglutide, which are primarily designed to remain in the bloodstream, thus restricting their potential in brain diseases. Kariya has developed drugs that can penetrate the brain, offering better effects in preclinical studies. A psychological barrier exists, with Alzheimer’s experts unfamiliar with GLP-1 and vice versa for diabetes researchers. Despite this, the advantages of GLP-1 drugs are evident: proven safety, easy administration, and the possibility of combining them with anti-amyloid drugs like Leqembi and donanemab. In combination trials, Leqembi and donanemab have shown significant reductions in Alzheimer’s progression. While these are remarkable breakthroughs, the ultimate goal remains a complete slowdown or prevention of the disease.
1.The mechanism and efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Du H, Meng X, Yao Y, Xu J. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Nov 17;13:1033479. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1033479. eCollection 2022.
Check out our AAV CDMO service to expedite your gene therapy research
PackGene is a CRO & CDMO technology company that specializes in packaging recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors. Since its establishment in 2014, PackGene has been a leader in the AAV vector CRO service field, providing tens of thousands of custom batches of AAV samples to customers in over 20 countries. PackGene offers a one-stop CMC solution for the early development, pre-clinical development, clinical trials, and drug approval of rAAV vector drugs for cell and gene therapy (CGT) companies that is fast, cost-effective, high-quality, and scalable. Additionally, the company provides compliant services for the GMP-scale production of AAVs and plasmids for pharmaceutical companies, utilizing five technology platforms, including the π-Alpha™ 293 cell AAV high-yield platform and the π-Omega™ plasmid high-yield platform. PackGene’s mission is to make gene therapy affordable and accelerate the launch of innovative gene drugs. The company aims to simplify the challenging aspects of gene therapy development and industrialization processes and provide stable, efficient, and economical rAAV Fast Services to accelerate gene and cell therapy development efforts from discovery phase to commercialization.
Related News
AAV Gene Therapy Revolutionizes Treatment for LCA1, Improving Vision Significantly
Innovative AAV Gene Therapy Dramatically Restores Vision in LCA1 Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in treating Leber congenital amaurosis type 1 (LCA1), a severe inherited retinal disease that causes early childhood blindness, by using an innovative...
Cellular Origins & 3P Innovation Partner to Streamline Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing
Cellular Origins, a TTP Company focused on enabling scalable, cost-effective, and efficient manufacture of cell and gene therapies (CGTs), has partnered with 3P innovation, an engineering company and supplier of automated fill-finish equipment, to integrate 3P...
Voyager Therapeutics Expands Gene Therapy Portfolio with Novartis License for Next-Generation Capsid
Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VYGR), a biotechnology company focused on neurogenetic medicines, has entered into a licensing agreement with Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) for a novel capsid developed using Voyager’s TRACER™ capsid discovery platform. This license will...
BridgeBio ends development of gene therapy for adrenal gland disorder
BridgeBio said Tuesday night it won’t move forward with a gene therapy for a group of genetic disorders that impair adrenal glands and cause disruptions in producing cortisol. The California biotech made the decision because Phase 1/2 data were “not yet...
Related Services
Plasmids GMP Services
Multiple scales & grade of solutions of various kind of plasmids suitable for multiple treatments in a fast and cost effective way.
READ MORE
AAV GMP Services
Ranging from small-scale AAV production, to large-scale AAV cGMP manufacturing for animal studies.
READ MORE
Technology Platforms
PackGene’s proprietary π-Alpha™ 293 AAV High-yield Platform increases AAV production by 3 to 8 times that of traditional platforms.
READ MORE
