AmideBio Expands Alzheimer’s Disease Partnership with University of Colorado

BOULDER, Colo. – April 14, 2010 – The University of Colorado and AmideBio, LLC have completed an agreement creating a research collaboration with a CU-Boulder lab, and giving AmideBio an option to newly-discovered drug candidates for Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the U.S., and the fifth-leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older. An estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease.¹ Alzheimer’s disease typically begins with gradual memory loss; people with advanced Alzheimer’s are often unable to perform basic activities such as dressing and eating without assistance. In the final stages, patients are unable to communicate or recognize family members, and require constant care. Alzheimer’s disease is ultimately fatal, often by causing Alzheimer-related pneumonia.

Research under the new sponsored research agreement with the lab of Michael Stowell, Ph.D. (an associate professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology) will use a novel screening process to find compounds that affect the interaction between two proteins believed to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease. The agreement gives AmideBio an option to new compounds that are discovered using this screen, which Stowell believes will be useful in treating the disease. “AmideBio’s commitment to our research will help to accelerate the discovery of potential therapeutics for Alzheimer’s by providing both financial support and the large quantities of amyloid peptides needed for screening,” said Stowell. 

Earlier in 2010, AmideBio licensed a CU technology (also from the Stowell lab) for manufacturing recombinant proteins and peptides (molecules which are similar to proteins but smaller). These types of molecules are often key for treating diseases that cannot be addressed using conventional chemical therapeutics, but the field has historically been limited by challenges such as economical manufacturing and delivery. CU’s technology circumvents these problems, particularly those associated with longer and more complex peptides, by leveraging a proprietary recombinant strategy that is economically viable and environmentally sustainable. 

1. 2010 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Association, 2010.

About AmideBio, LLC
AmideBio, based in Boulder, CO, is a biotechnology company focused on providing recombinant peptide research and clinical products for a diverse array of disease research and disease targets. AmideBio maintains a proprietary platform vector technology that addresses the challenges of historically difficult to manufacture peptides by providing products that are reliable (BioPure™), economical and incorporate environmentally sustainable practices. For more information please visit www.AmideBio.com