As an assembly of peptides, ADDLs qualify as potential targets of antibody therapy and even a vaccine.  These approaches are also called immunotherapy.  When an antibody is made outside the body and injected, treatment is called passive immunotherapy.  When a vaccine is used to stimulate the immune system the body generates its own antibodies against ADDLs, treatment is called active immunotherapy.  While it may sound remarkable that Alzheimer’s may one day be treated by antibodies, or even a vaccine, it is a real possibility. 

Acumen has licensed its rights to develop monoclonal antibodies to Merck.   In addition, Merck has an option to develop anti-ADDL vaccines.  These immunotherapy programs are in preclinical development now, and may soon reach the clinic. 

Acumen has developed considerable know how into ADDL assembly, ADDL structure-activity relationship, and has developed a proprietary panel of novel peptides that illicit an immune response.  The fruit of this expertise is an array of antibodies that are superb research tools and potentially, candidates for pre-clinical development.  Similarly, Acumen’s proprietary peptides are extremely useful research tools, have helped expand Acumen’s intellectual property estate, and potentially, candidates for pre-clinical vaccine development. 

Some of these antibodies recognize a number of different sized oligomers, while other antibodies recognize primarily one specific structure.  Acumen has long had a goal of developing antibodies which do not recognize A Beta monomer, bind specifically to soluble A Beta oligomers, but do not recognize amyloid plaques.  We have successfully achieved this goal.