Tau inhibition

Preventing and dissolving tau tangles in the brain to disrupt neurodegenerative cascades

Conceptual illustration of neuron cells with glowing link knots in abstract dark space, high resolution 3D illustration

Undoing the tangles

We have developed a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease by targeting the tau pathological process. Our product, Hydromethylthionine Mesylate (HMTM), belongs to a class of drugs known as Tau Aggregation Inhibitors (TAIs). 

TAIs prevent and dissolve tau aggregates in the brain, preserving the normal tau function essential for a healthy brain. By undoing the tangles that cause dementia, we aim to slow and potentially stop memory loss and other symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Potential for several
applications

We have “composition of matter” patents and “use” patents covering the application of our TAIs for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We are also exploring the use of TAIs in several other neurodegenerative diseases associated with tau pathology, as well as other disorders deriving from the aggregation of other proteins in the brain, including Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.

Our progress in finding a
possible treatment

  • 1985

  • 1988

  • 1993

  • 1995

  • 2002

  • 2015

  • 2017

  • 1985

    Discovery of the structure of tau tangles

  • 1988

    Top line results from the LUCIDITY clinical trials lead to first Tau Aggregation Inhibitor (TAI)

  • 1993

    Tau Aggregation Inhibitor (TAI) enhances neuron communication in mice

  • 1995

    LUCIDITY trials begin in North America and Europe

  • 2002

    Phase III trial results in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia show pharmacological activity on clinical decline and brain atrophy

  • 2015

    Phase III trial results

  • 2017

    Core tau unit assembles spontaneously into tau protein bundles

1985
1988
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1995
2002
2015
2017