Small Molecules GAL-101 and GAL-201 as Potential oral Treatments for Alzhei-mer’s Disease

Hermann Kurt Russ

Galimedix Therapeutics, USA

Biography :

Russ is a board-certified clinical neurologist and a professor of pharmacology. He holds a Ph.D. in neuro- and bio-chemistry from the University of Wurzburg, Germany. After his academic career, Dr. Russ joined the phar­maceutical industry and worked 25 years for several international companies including Merck, Teva, and Merz in leading positions in research and development. His scientific focus is on neuro-degenerative diseases, includ­ing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson`s, and degenerative retina diseases. He is (co)inventor of over 25 patents and (co) author of more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications. He is co-founder of Galimedix Therapeutics (www. galimedix.com) and lives in Dubai

Abstract :

There is a growing body of evidence that toxic oligomers and protofibrils of amyloid beta (Aβ) are an underlying cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Recent approvals and promising Phase 3 re­sults of anti-Aβ antibody drugs have validated them as a key target for that disease. Galime­dix Therapeutics is developing orally administered Aβ aggregation modulators that target the beginning of the Aβ peptide aggregation cascade. Our candidates GAL-101 and GAL-201 act upstream to most other Aβ-targeting approaches on the market and in advanced develop­ment, potentially enabling them to effectively impact disease progression without disturbing normal neuronal function. GAL-101 and GAL-201 prevent the formation of all toxic Aβ oligo­mers that drive neurodegeneration at the source by binding to a specific motif only exposed in the misfolded Aβ monomers, triggering the clustering of these misfolded Aβ monomers and preventing the assembly of harmful oligomers. Data from long-term-potentiation (LTP) and from animal studies will be presented supporting the mechanism of action and the beneficial biological effects on cognition. An oral Phase 1 study with the lead molecule GAL-101 has been initiated and will enroll the first subjects still this year. With this data, a clinical Phase 2 “Proof-of-concept” study in Alzheimer patients is planned for 2026. Galimedix is a privately owned biotech company.