Leading Foundations Partner on $3M Initiative to Accelerate Research and Discover Treatments for Alzheimer's

Research to Focus on Repurposing Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Alzheimer's Society (UK) announced a new partnership that will provide funding for research in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, with the goal of accelerating critical development programs and bringing new treatments to patients. The partnership intends to fund projects up to $1.5 million each focused on drug repurposing, leveraging existing scientific evidence and research to accelerate the drug development process.

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"Through the repurposing of drugs in development or approved for other conditions, there is the potential to dramatically reduce the time and costs typically associated with bringing a drug from basic research and clinical development to patients," said Howard Fillit, MD, Executive Director and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF. "This partnership exemplifies the importance of combining and leveraging available resources to accelerate drug discovery in Alzheimer's."

With nearly 44 million people affected by Alzheimer's and related diseases worldwide, and the number exponentially increasing, the organizations hope to propel promising drug developments into final stages of testing and ultimately in the hands of those affected by these devastating diseases. With current treatments only temporarily helping with symptoms, and not preventing dementia from progressing, new drugs are urgently needed.

"We are very excited to partner with the ADDF and provide this critical funding to researchers on the front lines of dementia research," said Doug Brown, PhD, Director of Research and Development at the Alzheimer's Society. "By supporting this research, we are helping to make the hope of finding effective dementia treatments within the next 10 years a reality."

Research proposals are now being accepted through June 5, 2014. For more information about requirements and the review process, please visit http://alzdiscovery.org/research-and-grants/applyforfunding.

About the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
The mission of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) is to accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease, related dementias and cognitive aging. The ADDF has granted more than $65 million to fund nearly 450 programs in 18 countries. For more information, please visit www.AlzDiscovery.org.

About the Alzheimer's Society

• One in three people over 65 will develop dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 800,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than ten years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society has a plan to deal with dementia. Help us support people to live well today and fight for a world without dementia tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk 
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0300 222 11 22 or visit alzheimers.org.uk

SOURCE Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation