A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Limiting RyR2 open time with R-carvedilol.
Tech ID #: 344.5 and 344.10
IP status: national phase applications covering US and Canada filed March 2023.
Targeting neuronal hyperactivity by limiting the open duration of RyR2 with R-carvedilol.
A novel, non-β-amyloid strategy for treating and preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
Seeking partnerships for further pre-clinical evaluation of the compounds.

BACKGROUND 

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia that affects a growing number of individuals every year. Despite significant efforts, there is currently no effective treatment for AD. Dr. Wayne Chen and Dr. Thomas Back at the University of Calgary have developed a novel approach for treating AD by targeting neuronal hyperactivity through limiting the open duration of ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), which is a well-known regulator of neuronal excitability. Genetically reducing RyR2 open time prevents hyperexcitability, hyperactivity, memory impairment, neuronal cell death, and dendritic spine loss in a severe, early-onset AD mouse model. Pharmacologically limiting RyR2 open time with the R-carvedilol enantiomer (but not racemic carvedilol) with a safety dosage also prevents and rescues neuronal hyperactivity, learning and memory impairments, and neuron loss even in the late stages of AD. Importantly, these AD-related deficits were prevented even with continued β-amyloid accumulation. Thus, limiting RyR2 open time may offer a hyperactivity-directed, non-β-amyloid-targeted strategy for treating AD. The inventors have designed and synthesized a group of R-carvedilol analogs which have been tested in preliminary cell-based assays.

 

AREAS OF APPLICATION 

  • Treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease. 
  • Other potential areas of application include diseases with symptoms associated with neuronal hyperactivity, including Parkinson’s Disease and epilepsy.  

 

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES 

  • Potential to lead to a novel, non-β-amyloid therapeutic target for AD.
  • Acts on early and late stages of AD, indicating the potential to prevent and rescue disease progression.
  • Safety of racemic carvedilol mixture has been proven – safety of R-carvedilol enantiomer will be easier to get accepted.

 

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES 

Announcements

The three winners of the Newcomer Founders Pitch Competition
News

PrintedSUN Inc. Shines at Newcomer Founders in Tech Pitch Competition

Website Events Banners
Events
28 Nov 2023

Tech Tuesday at the Energy Transition Centre | Why Founders Must Sell (And Why Outsourcing is Tricky)

Website Events Banners
Events
30 Nov 2023

From Blueprint to Reality: The Manufacturing Startup Adventure

newcomer top seven finalists
News

Congratulations to the seven finalists for the Newcomer Founders in Tech Pitch Competition

Website Events Banners
Events
22 Nov 2023

Accelerating Development of Research-Based Cleantech in Canada

Questions? Need more information?

Reach out and connect. Our tech transfer team is ready to help.

Contact Us