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Alector, a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, has secured $133 million in Series E funding to further its innovative programs tackling Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. This funding round drew an impressive range of investors, including biopharma giants like AbbVie, Eli Lilly, and Amgen, as well as tech-focused entities like Google’s GV and Section 32. Notably, the Dementia Discovery Fund, a major player in dementia-focused research, also participated.
The funding will support Alector’s clinical programs and the expansion of its drug discovery platform. The company’s three lead drug candidates aim to address underlying immune system dysfunctions associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). AL001 targets a protein linked to FTD, AL002 focuses on the immune receptor TREM2, and AL003 targets SIGLEC-3, another immune receptor linked to Alzheimer’s risk. Alector's approach blends cutting-edge immunology with neurology, akin to immuno-oncology strategies that either boost or regulate the immune system.
Alector's research underscores the role of the brain’s immune system in these diseases. For instance, mutations in the TREM2 gene can significantly alter the risk of developing dementia. The company plans to test its drugs both as standalone treatments and in combination, aiming to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Early trials will utilize biomarkers to assess the drugs’ impact on Alzheimer’s and FTD, with a focus on delivering faster results for FTD due to its rapid progression.
If successful, Alector’s therapies could complement existing treatments, such as those targeting beta-amyloid, by addressing broader immune dysfunction in the brain. This dual-action approach may enhance the effectiveness of other therapies and provide a promising path forward for patients with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
