# Development of a Novel Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutic

> **NIH NIH R43** · APHIOS CORPORATION · 2024 · $504,732

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Alzheimer's disease is associated with multiple factors, including but not limited to amyloid plaque formation, tau
protein entanglement, enzyme degradation and inflammation. Inflammation is implicated in many aging diseases
and in the central nervous system (CNS) is associated with the CCR5 gene that increases with age. CCR5 has
been correlated with impairments in memory consolidation in aged mice, which was reversed with a CCR5
knockout and an FDA approved drug that inhibits this receptor.
We propose to develop targeted nanoparticles of an anti-CCR5 drug, and evaluate its impact on brain
inflammation and AD. In Phase I, we will: (i) Nanoencapsulate anti-CCR5 drug in targeted and non-targeted,
long circulating, pegylated nanoparticles utilizing a proprietary solvent-free technology, and characterize the size
and distribution of the nanoparticles, encapsulation or loading efficiency, and in vitro release characteristics; and
(ii) Evaluate the impact of the anti-CCR5 drug nanoparticles on in vitro models of brain inflammation and BBB
penetration to select best candidates for in vivo studies, perform pharmacokinetic, biodistribution and toxicity
studies in wild-type mice and efficacy studies in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. In Phase II,
we will more rigorously characterize the nanoparticles, conduct extensive in vitro and in vivo studies, and scale-
up manufacturing towards conducting IND-enabling studies and filing an IND for Phase I and/or Phase IIb studies.
We will then out-license the developed technologies and products to a multinational pharmaceutical or
biotechnology company.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10920778
- **Project number:** 1R43AG085863-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** APHIOS CORPORATION
- **Principal Investigator:** TREVOR P. CASTOR
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $504,732
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-25 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10920778

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10920778, Development of a Novel Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutic (1R43AG085863-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10920778. Licensed CC0.

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