ExonHit Therapeutics to take part in MAPT study for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease

ExonHit Therapeutics (Paris:ALEHT) together with Toulouse University Hospital and l’Institut de Recherche Pierre Fabre (IRPF) will participate in the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT). The study’s main objective is to assess the efficacy of a multidomain (nutrition, physical exercise, cognitive stimulation) intervention associated with an omega-3 treatment in preventing the decline of cognitive functions in aged and frail individuals.

“We are going to apply our validated AclarusDx^TM diagnostic platform to the study samples in order to identify early blood biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease,” commented Loïc Maurel, M.D., President of the Management Board of ExonHit Therapeutics. He added: “Access to such biomarkers would be a major asset for developing new drugs against this disease.”

The clinical study, which includes several memory centers in France, is lead by Professor Bruno Vellas, M.D., Head of the Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Research Center and of the Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital, France.

“Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, before signs of dementia appear and taking action at a very early stage is key to an improved patient care,” stated Professor Vellas.

Over the course of 3 years, 1,200 frail individuals, of both genders and aged 70 or more will be monitored. During this period, the status of their cognitive functions and of their functional capacity will be assessed in order to identify the ones who evolve towards dementia, in particular one of an Alzheimer’s type, and to evaluate the preventive measures that are tested.

Financial terms of the 3-party agreement were not disclosed.