MALVERN, PA — Annovis Bio Inc. (NYSE: ANVS) announced new preclinical data showing the positive combined effects of its lead compound, buntanetap, with the GLP-1 agonist dulaglutide (Trulicity®) in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.
GLP-1 agonists, typically used for diabetes, weight loss, and heart conditions, are showing potential for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Data presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®) 2024 revealed that liraglutide (Victoza), another GLP-1 agonist, reduced cognitive decline by 18% and brain shrinkage in Alzheimer’s patients.
Annovis Bio previously published data in 2018 demonstrating that buntanetap restored memory, learning, and synaptic potentiation in an Alzheimer’s mouse model. Building on this research, Annovis investigated the combination of buntanetap and dulaglutide in the same animal model. The results were impressive: while buntanetap alone restored cognitive function to 100% and dulaglutide alone to 80%, their combination not only restored but also enhanced cognitive function beyond levels seen in healthy controls.
GLP-1 agonists’ ability to penetrate the brain is linked to their molecular structure. Single-chain peptides like dulaglutide have better blood-brain barrier permeability than bifurcated molecules with side chains. Dulaglutide was chosen for its excellent permeability.
“We are excited to see that buntanetap significantly amplifies the effects of dulaglutide on memory and learning, with a 6- to 10-fold increase in efficacy,” said Maria Maccecchini, Ph.D., Founder, President, and CEO of Annovis Bio. “This synergy is particularly important for enhancing treatment outcomes while minimizing potential side effects. As the field of Alzheimer’s research shifts towards combination therapies, we believe our approach holds great promise for offering more effective treatment options for patients.”
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.