Small Molecules for AD

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Targeting CD44-Moesin Interactions with Small Molecules for Alzheimer’s Disease Tech ID: UA21-190 Invention: This technology is a small molecule compound that could serve as a potential therapeutic for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The compound binds to Moesin, a protein that is associated with AD. It targets interactions between Moesin and CD44, an antigen that also has been shown to be a biomarker for AD. Targeting CD44 and Moesin interactions has proved to be a potential effective therapy for AD. Background: Alzheimer’s Disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Currently over 6 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with AD, with the number projected to nearly double by 2050. There are currently many treatment options to ameliorate the effects and slow the progression of AD; however, there is no cure for the disease. Furthermore, there are many debates about whether current AD treatments are effective in light of the high costs incurred in production and use. Therefore, it is imperative that new treatment options for Alzheimer’s Disease be developed to combat the devastating effects of the neurodegenerative disease plaguing the elderly population. This technology provides a novel approach to AD therapy and has the potential to effectively treat the disease.