David Cameron's venture capital fund invests £6.5m in search for first dementia drugs

A venture capital fund established by David Cameron’s government to boost dementia research announced a £6.5 million investment in a new biotech company
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Ross Lydall @RossLydall12 August 2019

The search for the first drugs to tackle Alzheimer’s disease has taken a “fantastic step forward”, it was announced today.

A venture capital fund established by David Cameron’s government to boost dementia research announced a £6.5 million investment in a new biotech company that builds on research at University College London.

AstronauTx, the UCL spin-off, will develop medicines designed to reset the behaviour of astrocytes, crucial support cells in the brain, and potentially limit the damage caused by the disease. The cells have an important role in keeping nerve cells functioning, but they change in Alzheimer’s and become damaging.

The Dementia Discovery Fund is the world’s largest investment fund focused on a single medical research area. Its backers, who have invested £290 million, include Bill Gates, the UK Government and seven top pharmaceutical firms, including GSK and Pfizer.

The former prime minister, who is president of the Alzheimer’s Research UK charity and another of the fund’s backers, said: “This is a fantastic step forward for the UK’s dementia drug discovery work and a great example of how collaboration across the dementia research landscape is fast-tracking the development of new treatments.”

"It’s becoming increasingly clear that [the cells] represent a promising target for future drugs"

Dr David Reynolds, of AstronautTx

Researchers in the UCL Drug Discovery Institute have identified a potential way to control the activity of astrocytes and allow nerve cells in the brain to function better for longer.

Dr David Reynolds, chief executive of AstronauTx, said: “While damage to nerve cells in the brain is the direct cause of symptoms of Alzheimer’s, these cells don’t operate in isolation.

“Scientists are revealing more and more about the role astrocytes play in the disease, and while they may previously have been seen as neutral bystanders, it’s becoming increasing clear that they represent a promising target for future drugs.”

Professor Paul Whiting, chief scientific officer of the Alzheimer’s Research UK UCL Drug Discover Insititute, said: “Biotechs like AstronauTx bring vital expertise to bear in drug discovery and early-stage clinical testing.”

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