Aggregation of the beta-amyloid peptide into toxic oligomers is believed to be the key pathogenetic event in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Molecules interfering with this process may act, therefore, as therapeutic agents for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Many companies are active in the research and development of compounds targeting beta amyloid. The most advanced project will enter into phase III development during 2007. At least four different antibodies are already in clinical development, followed by three different vaccine approaches in phase I and II studies. Two small molecule beta amyloid aggregation inhibitors and a PET imaging agent are also in clinical development. The preclinical development pipeline consists of at least 18 different projects of antibodies, vaccines, small molecules and peptides targeting beta amyloid.

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