NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Oligomerix, Inc. presented results at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington D.C. which demonstrated that tau protein forms neurotoxic oligomers with a newly discovered enzymatic function. This proteolytic function results in tau's self-fragmentation and in the degradation of other proteins suggesting a mechanism for its neurotoxic mode-of-action. Furthermore, certain tau oligomer species that contained the highest level of activity also proved to be the most toxic to cultured neurons. Tau's enzymatic activity may play a key role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression and therefore may represent an important therapeutic intervention point.
James Moe, President and CEO of Oligomerix, Inc., stated, "Recent advances in the field indicate that tau oligomers are involved in Alzheimer's disease progression and inhibit memory formation. Inhibiting the tau oligomer protease may be an effective intervention for not only improving cognitive function, but also for interrupting disease progression."
The Alzheimer's Association estimates that there are 5.4 million AD sufferers in the US alone that require 14.9 million unpaid caregivers and costs the US economy approximately $183 billion every year. There are no FDA approved therapeutics that alter the course of disease or slow its progression. Tau protease pathology may represent a new target for slowing or arresting disease progression.
ABOUT OLIGOMERIX
Oligomerix, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on development of small molecule inhibitors, immunotherapeutic approaches, and biomarkers targeting tau oligomers and their newly discovered proteolytic enzymatic activity. The Company was founded in 2006 and is located within the Audubon Biomedical Science and Technology Park at Columbia University Medical Center. The Company is seeking strategic partners to help accelerate its exciting tau protease program.
For more information visit www.oligomerix.com.
Certain matters described in this news release may be forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk of dependence on market growth, competition and dependence on government agencies and other third parties for funding contract research and services.
CONTACTS:
Oligomerix, Inc.
Jack Pasini
Chief Commercial Officer
917-912-4088
jpasini@oligomerix.com
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
Andrew Mielach, Media
212-827-0020
amielach@tiberend.com
SOURCE Oligomerix, Inc.
