Pipeline

Tau Protein Aggregation Inhibitor Program

TauRx’s second-generation tau aggregation inhibitor is a chemical entity which has completed three Phase 3 clinical trials, conducted in over 20 countries and involving over 2000 patients worldwide.

Based upon the outcome of these trials, TauRx is considering expanding the development of its compound to address frontotemporal lobar degeneration syndromes including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and CorticoBasal Degeneration Syndrome where tau aggregation is also involved in the underlying pathology.

Anti-synuclein

TauRx's TAI has recently been shown to be effective in inhibiting the misfolding of the synuclein protein, a protein processing defect associated with Parkinson’s disease, and, subject to availability of additional resources, TauRx hopes to be able to initiate a Phase 2 study in this indication. TauRx is also progressing a range of early-stage compounds targeted against the misfolded synuclein protein, and its technology platform is being used to further characterise these compounds in preparation for formal toxicological evaluation and subsequent clinical development.

Early-stage compounds

TauRx scientists have discovered and are now characterising a large number of additional early-stage compounds for potential use as therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. These compounds include third-generation methylthioninium-based entities as well as completely new chemical entities identified via high-throughput screening of a proprietary library. TauRx scientists are also involved in developing new monoclonal antibodies for potential use in immunotherapeutic products.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic tests assist clinicians in detecting and confirming the nature of a disease and monitoring the effects of therapy. Diagnostic tests can also be designed to detect susceptible individuals who could benefit from preventative therapy. There is at present no approved test to measure the amount of aggregated tau protein, or of other aggregating proteins in other neurodegenerative diseases, in the brain of patients. This can only be performed at autopsy. TauRx has identified a number of ligands binding to aggregated tau protein that could provide a suitable basis for brain imaging diagnostics. It is hoped that such tests would facilitate early detection of the pathology and potentially enable the use of preventive therapy.

In addition, Genting TauRx Diagnostic Centre Sdn Bhd, TauRx’s joint venture company with Malaysia’s Genting Berhad group, is using a variety of different technologies to develop innovative tools and systems required to permit the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of AD, FTD and other related disorders. More information can be found at www.GTDiag.com