# Novel Extracorporeal Device 'Amytrapper' To Remove Beta Amyloid In Alzheimer's Disease

> **NIH NIH R44** · RECOMBINANT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC · 2020 · $592,009

## Abstract

Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and fourth most common cause of death.
Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plays a crucial role in initiation and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Accumulation of Aβ on the surface of neuronal cells is known to cause synaptic dysfunction and further
cascade into other dysfunctions in AD. Removal of circulatory Aβ would shift the equilibrium of Aβ
levels between brain and blood towards blood and thus would deplete brain amyloid levels and improve
memory. Treatments that target and reduce Aβ accumulation may be beneficial to AD patients in terms of
better living conditions. Recombinant Technologies [RTL] is working towards developing an
extracorporeal apheresis device that would sequester blood Aβ in AD patients. RTL believes that safe and
efficient removal of Aβ would offer benefit that other options may not achieve. The proposed device,
namely, Amytrapper would help AD patients live better. The device is centered on our proprietary active
pharmacological ingredient [API], a tetrameric retro-inverso peptide that is pegylated. The peptide has a
high affinity for a specific motif on Aβ that is involved in misfolding and self-
aggregation/oligomerization. Upon injection of the same API in the previous POC studies, we have
demonstrated depletion from the brain of Aβ42 and cognition improvement in a clinically relevant mouse
model of AD.
In the preceding phase 1 research we have obtained proof of concept for this amytrapper device. We have
successfully created and tested the amytrapper prototype column matrix which was composed of
sepharose beads conjugated to pegylated RI-peptide. It bound and retained biotinylated Aβ42 (spiked)
from a buffer solution or in presence of sera. Sera from mice, rat and humans and plasma from humans
were spiked with Aβ42 were tested for binding by Amytrapper, in vitro. Amytrapper specifically and
reproducibly bound biotinylated Aβ42 in the above experiments in a concentration dependent manner.
The proposed phase 2 research is a logic extension of the successful phase 1 outcome. In this proposal, in
addition to the Amy trapper column, we plan to introduce an added innovation in the form of an
Amytrapper catheter [a medically viable catheter coated inside with the RI-PEG] and test them out in
vitro and in vivo. Therefore, in Aim 1, we will generate and characterize large scale quantities
Amytrapper sepharose beads. In Aim 2, Amytrapper-catheter will be generated and characterized in
collaboration with a CRO who is specialized in catheters that are commercially available. In Aim 3, we
plan to demonstrate in vivo target [Aβ] engagement by the API in a mouse model challenged with Aβ
injections directly into the brain using a push-pull microdialysis apparatus. In Aim 4, we will study
efficacy of the two Amytrapper devices in a rat model of Alzheimer’s Disease. Evaluations will include
biochemical, immuno-histological, and behavioral parameters. We expect that the catheter w...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9934955
- **Project number:** 5R44AG057327-03
- **Recipient organization:** RECOMBINANT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** PAZHANI SUNDARAM
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $592,009
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9934955

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9934955, Novel Extracorporeal Device 'Amytrapper' To Remove Beta Amyloid In Alzheimer's Disease (5R44AG057327-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9934955. Licensed CC0.

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