Alzheimer’s Disease Preventative Nasal Vaccine to be Tested at Boston Hospital

Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital announced Tuesday that it would test a nasal vaccine forAlzheimer’s disease. The hospital said in a press release, represents the culmination of 20 years of research at the institution.

Dr Howard Weiner, co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said that the launch of the first human trial of a nasal vaccine for Alzheimer’s is a remarkable milestone. If the clinical trials in humans show that the vaccine is safe and effective, this could represent a nontoxic treatment for people with Alzheimer’s, and it could also be given early to help prevent Alzheimer’s in people at risk.

The first human clinical trial for the intranasal vaccine is intended to prevent and slow the progression of the disease. The vaccine uses the immune modulator Protollin, an investigational intranasal agent that stimulates the immune system.

Protollin is made up of proteins derived from bacteria and has been used safely in humans. It is designed to activate white blood cells found in the lymph nodes on the sides and back of the neck to migrate to the brain and trigger clearance of beta-amyloid plaques, which the hospital noted is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.  The study is funded by I-Mab Biopharma (I-Mab) and Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical (NHWA), which are responsible for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of Protollin.