Before FTD researchers can initiate a clinical trial of a new medication, they must carry out preclinical testing to better understand its effects on the body, confirm that it binds to its intended target, determine the best dose, and demonstrate its effectiveness in animal models of FTD. Since 2007, AFTD has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) to support preclinical research on promising new or repurposed drugs through the Accelerating Drug Discovery for FTD program.

AFTD is pleased to announce the most recent recipients of awards in this program:

Ana Martinez (Ankar Pharma) was awarded funding to continue the development of drugs that block the enzyme tau tubulin kinase, or TTBK1. TTBK1 facilitates chemical changes associated with the abnormal clumping of the FTD-associated proteins tau and TDP-43. By inhibiting the ability of TTBK1 to alter tau and TDP-43, they hope to reduce clumping and slow or even stop the disease process.

Robert Williams and Pelagos Pharmaceuticals received funding for their research on drugs targeting a protein that regulates essential brain cell functions like metabolism and inflammation by turning critical genes on or off. One reason these functions are often disrupted in FTD may be disease-causing changes to this protein “switch.” The Pelagos team aims to repair the switch, reverse the disruptive effect on genes, and restore cell function to its normal state in FTD and ALS.