Prana Biotechnology Limited

The General Hospital Corporation

Robert Cherny

Ashley I Bush

Rudolph Emile Tanzi

Thomas David McCarthy

Kevin Jeffrey Barnham

Barry Ross Matthews

Susanne Pallich

This invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment or alleviation of Alzheimer's disease and of other conditions related to abnormal protein aggregation. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for the immunotherapy of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cataract. In one aspect the invention provides a method of prophylaxis, treatment or alleviation of a condition characterized by pathological aggregation and accumulation of a specific protein associated with an immunizing-effective dose of one or more tyrosine cross-linked compounds, and optionally also comprising copper ions complexed to the compound. Alternatively passive immunization against a tyrosine cross-linked compound may be used. Prophylactic or therapeutic compositions and diagnostic methods are also disclosed and claimed.

Neurotoxic oligomers

The present invention relates to compounds which inhibit the binding of metal ions to a region in the N-terminal loop of the &#x3b2;-amyloid peptide which includes a cluster of histidine residues. In addition, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions including these compounds as the active agent, and to methods of treatment involving the administration of these compounds. The compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and other amyloid-related conditions. In a first aspect the present invention provides a compound which interacts with the &#x3b2;-amyloid peptide in such a way that the N-terminal loop of the peptide (amino acid residues 1-15) is blocked or destabilised, thereby inhibiting the binding of one or more metal ions to at least one histidine residue within the N-terminal loop. Preferably the compound inhibits binding of Cu, Znand Feions, but not Mgor Caions.

&#x3b2;-amyloid peptide inhibitors

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Brighton East, Australia

Robert Cherny