Researchers at the Framingham pharmaceutical firm Alzheon have discovered a substance in the brain inhibiting the formation of molecules that helps form Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheon, a clinical-stage company, is searching for new medicines to help patients with Alzheimer’s, a disease that affects 5.7 million Americans.
The study in which the discovery was included appeared in the most recent issue of the peer-reviewed publication CNS Drugs. The company announced the discovery Monday.
“We are excited to contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenic and therapeutic mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease,” Martin Tolar, the president and CEO of Alzheon said in a statement.
The discovery, he added, strongly support the company’s therapeutic approach and commitment to confirm the effectiveness of one of its Alzheimer’s-fighting products, called ALZ-801. The oral drug received fast-track approval from the Food and Drug Administration last October, but Alzheon did not say when the drug might hit the market.
Alzheon separately announced on Monday it has appointed a new vice chairman of its board of directors. Neil Flanzraich was an early investor in the company and served as its chief business officer and a consultant from February to May 2018. He is the lead independent director at Colorado restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, where he was an early investor.
