BRAINSYMPHONICS

Read the Article on CNN

Alzheimer’s Drug Shows Progress in Restoring Cognitive Function

Neuroscientist Susan Catalano cofounded Cognition Therapeutics in Pittsburgh, PA, to develop a drug that could target the main toxin thought to cause Alzheimer’s disease. She wanted to find a way to stop Alzheimer’s progression and also restore brain function to those with the disease. The company employed a unique way to screen for potential drugs by running experiments on actual brain cells and was able to narrow their search to one molecular compound that prevents the “clumps” from latching onto brain cells.

Funding for their efforts was provided by the NIH, including $66 million primarily awarded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Their SBIR and STTR grants supported the initial screening and discovery of their current drug candidate, as well as the regulatory studies needed to enter clinical trials. Data from these studies supported FDA’s decision in 2017 to give the drug Fast-Track designation. Phase 1 clinical trials have shown that Cognition’s drug is safe and well tolerated in people, and four Phase 2 studies are currently testing the drug’s ability to alleviate symptoms in different types of Alzheimer’s patients.

In June 2020, Cognition received an independent research grant from NIA for $75.8 million to support a fifth Phase 2 study, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium. With federal support and a track record of meeting research milestones, Cognition grew more attractive for outside partnerships. In October 2021, the company went public (CGTX)

Get inspired by more SBIR company stories: sbir.gov/news/success-stories

Dept. of Commerce/NIST

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) invites small businesses to submit Phase I research applications under the FY23 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Science and technology-based firms with strong research capabilities in any of the areas listed in Section 9.0 of the FY23 NOFO are encouraged to participate.

2023 SBIR Phase I (2023-NIST-SBIR-01)

• Released: March 23, 2023
• Submission Deadline: May 22, 2023

Biogen, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced on 22 October that it would seek approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for its drug aducanumab to treat early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, for which there is currently no available treatment.

Brainsymphonics EBPS-AD software De Novo application is accepted by FDA in Jan 2019 and now it is pending approval.

Shi-Jiang Li, PhD (professor of biophysics), and Piero Antuono, MD (professor of neurology, pharmacology, and toxicology), received the 2018 Dean’s Award in Clinical & Translational Research for their contribution to advancing translational science to improve patient health with their Alzheimer’s disease research.

Dr. Shi-Jiang Li has been chosen as the recipient of the 2017 Alzheimers Award from the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (JAD).