Merck Presents Findings from Phase 1b Study of Investigational BACE Inhibitor, MK-8931, in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the presentation of results from a Phase Ib study showing a dose-dependent decrease in β amyloid levels in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) following administration of MK-8931, Merck’s investigational oral β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE1 or β secretase) inhibitor, in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the study, β amyloid levels were analyzed as a measure of BACE activity. The data were presented during an oral session at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Boston, July 13-18 (Abstract O1-06-05).
http://www.pharmalive.com/merck-good-results-in-alzheimers-trial
Beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 | |||
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PDB rendering based on 1fkn |
Beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) also known as beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1(beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1), memapsin-2(membrane-associated aspartic protease 2), and aspartyl protease 2 (ASP2) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the BACE1 gene.
β-Secretase is an aspartic-acid protease important in the formation of myelin sheaths in peripheral nerve cells. The transmembrane protein contains two active site aspartate residues in its extracellular protein domain and may function as a dimer.