Secretases as therapeutic targets in Alzheimer’s disease: patents 2000 – 2004

Abstract

This article briefly reviews the biology of the secretase enzymes (α, β and γ) that metabolise the amyloid precursor protein, pathways that are believed to be central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Therapeutic patents claiming secretase inhibitors or modulators for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease published over the last 4 years are then considered. Although there are many claims, no agent has yet reached the clinical arena, and the paucity of data provided in the patents makes it difficult to predict which, if any, might do so.

• α-secretase
• β-secretase
• γ-secretase
• Alzheimer’s disease
• amyloid peptide
• inhibitor