Neurotez is seeking $1-20MM from investors to develop a drug for Alzheimer's...

by Nikolaos Tezapsidis
(NJ, USA)

Neurotez (www.neurotez.com) is a private corporation developing a human Leptin product as a hormone replacement therapy for Alzheimer's disease ("AD"). Leptin, a natural hormone normally with large number of receptors in memory centers of the brain is often present at decreased levels in patients suffering from AD, and cognitive deterioration correlates with a decline in circulating Leptin. Multiple animal studies demonstrate Leptin’s ability to improve cognitive performance, including memory. This effect is accompanied by a decrease in levels of both phospho-tau/tau and beta amyloid (Aβ), two of the key factors in AD etiology. This represents a relatively de-risked disease-modification approach.

Our approach involves daily injections of leptin, a naturally occurring protein in humans. Leptin can penetrate the blood-brain barrier to affect neurons in a region of the brain (hippocampus) that is involved in memory and is severely damaged by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The majority of AD patients have low levels of leptin, which can be easily measured by validated blood tests. Administration of leptin to human is known to be safe. In fact, it is FDA-approved to treat a very rare metabolic syndrome, generalized lipodystrophy. Studies show that Leptin keeps neurons healthy and has the potential to modify AD pathology. If trials demonstrate its safety and efficacy in ameliorating the dementia caused by AD, it could also potentially be evaluated as a prevention treatment.

The important advantage of the Neurotez approach to AD treatment is that leptin administration is a natural hormone supplement, using a pluripotent, naturally occurring protein with some critical properties important for a healthy brain. It can be broadly categorized as another strategy tackling AD as a brain metabolic disorder; many experts consider AD as type III diabetes. However, regardless of the merits of this later theory, leptin is potentially more specific and safer than other compounds tested in this category which include insulin, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone.

The current financing target is a minimum of $4 M and maximum of $7 M. A $4M investment would allow us to complete remaining preclinical work, file an investigational new drug application (IND) and prepare for the launch of clinical trials. A $7 M investment will allow us to start a Phase I trial within 9-12 months of closing this round, with data expected 12 months after commencement of trial. For more information, please refer to our company’s PPM. The focus of Phase I trial is to establish safety of the product and obtain pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data.