Developing a drug for Alzheimer's disease.

Protein aggregates play a central role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease: Poorly developed proteins that the body usually recognizes and breaks down. However, if the body does not succeed in this important quality control, there is a risk that the useless proteins will be deposited, clump together and thus damage nerve cells.

We are investigating these processes specifically for the amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregate, which is constantly being formed in the body and is actually harmless. However, when several Aβ molecules (monomers) link together, they form so-called oligomers, which can interfere with the normal functioning of nerve cells in the brain and thus set off a dangerous cascade of processes that damage nerves and synapses.

Once set in motion, the resulting Alzheimer’s disease can no longer be stopped. At least not so far. Because our scientists at the Research Center Jülich have discovered a promising drug candidate: RD2. It breaks down the toxic Aβ oligomers back into their harmless monomer building blocks. This could stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

RD2 belongs to a completely new class of active ingredients, the so-called D-peptides. These are not broken down in the body, or only very slowly. This makes the active ingredient so stable that it can be administered as a tablet or capsule. It has already shown its effectiveness in four different animal models. Among other things, memory and cognition improved under its influence. It has demonstrated its good tolerability in humans in initial studies, and RD2 is now on the way to clinical phase 2. Results are expected by 2026.

If they are positive, that would be an important signal of hope, as more than 30 million people are currently affected by Alzheimer’s disease worldwide.

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