Seven startups to share $15.7m for dementia innovations

By 2030, over 550,000 Australians will be living with dementia. These companies are at the forefront of Australian innovation and have the potential to profoundly improve the lives of people living with dementia and cognitive decline. #HealthInnovation #DigitalHealth #DementiaAwareness

We’re grateful to be selected for funding through the CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline incubator program, a national initiative supporting innovative health technologies. With $2.5 million in support, we’ll scale our platform using large language models (LLMs) and clinically validated speech biomarkers to better detect and monitor early signs of dementia and cognitive decline.  This milestone opens new possibilities for our team as we look ahead to what we can achieve together in digital speech neuroscience. Thank you to Brandon BioCatalyst (Brandon Capital), ANDHealth and Dementia Australia for delivering the CUREator+ program and supporting this important work. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gQBsDASC

HemoDx, a Norwegian company, have developed a saliva collection device and kit to obtain and transport dried saliva samples cheaply and safely. The device consists of a special paper-based matrix to collect dried saliva that can then be used to detect Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related peptides and proteins (biomarkers). If the device is proven to be safe and effective at detecting AD related biomarkers, it could open up opportunities for easier and quicker screening and diagnosis of AD. The device and testing procedures are still being refined and validated. As part of this process, HemoDx are working with Alzheimer Europe to obtain constructive criticism of the test kit, saliva device and accompanying instructions, from people with lived experience of dementia and carers of people with dementia. Feedback was obtained via Public Involvement (PI), and conducted in accordance with Alzheimer Europe’s position on PI. Involvement consisted of consecutive, structured, in-person consultations (1 hour duration), with the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD) and European Dementia Carers Working Group (EDCWG). Background information was provided to working group members ahead of the consultation. https://lnkd.in/ejEbyQE3 A big thank you to all participants and members of the working groups! Faye Forsyth, PhD, Ana Diaz Ponce Kevin Quaid, Gerda Van Tongerloo, Philip Angrave, Stuart Dougall, Kjell Ehn, Jan Runar Eliassen, Hafsteinn Fridfinnsson, Katya Genadieva, Jost Hamschmidt, Erla Jόnsdόttir, Lieselotte Klotz, Angela Pototschnigg, Shelagh Robinson, Věra Ryšavá Trevor Salomon, Roslynn Vella, Bill Alexander, Peter Banda, Paddy Crosbie, Sylva Dneboská, Chris Ellermaa, Emil Emilsson, Annick Germeys, Zornitsa Karagyozova, Hatice Sertaç Süslü, Peter Thörngren, Liv Thorsen, Olivera Vasilevska Danev, Christina Zioga

Alzheimer’s disease remains a critical global health challenge, especially as populations age. A recent phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial shines a spotlight on valiltramiprosate—a small-molecule inhibitor targeting cerebral beta-amyloid pathology—with promising findings in early symptomatic Alzheimer’s treatment. Key highlights from the study involving 325 participants aged 50-80 carrying the APOE4/4 genotype include: 🧠 Significant slowing of hippocampal atrophy by 18% across the study population 🧠 Remarkable 52% cognitive improvement and 26% reduction in hippocampal volume loss specifically in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subgroup 🧠 Evidence of enhanced gray and white matter brain health 🧠 A safety profile comparable to existing Alzheimer’s medications These results underscore the potential of valiltramiprosate in personalized treatment strategies, particularly when aligned with the disease’s early stages. Advancing research and targeted interventions like valiltramiprosate offer renewed hope for stabilizing early Alzheimer’s and improving patient outcomes. #AlzheimersResearch #BrainHealth #ClinicalResearches #CognitiveHealth #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalInnovation #NeurodegenerativeDisease #PersonalizedMedicine #Pharma #Publications #RegulatoryAgencies #Valiltramiprosate #MarketAccess #MarketAccessToday

🔍 Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Pipeline 2025 – Insights by #DelveInsight Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that continues to challenge both clinicians and researchers worldwide. With its significant impact on cognition, behavior, and language, the condition demands innovative therapies and robust clinical research. 📊Recent Frontotemporal Dementia Breakthroughs in the Market Landscape- 📢On 03 September 2025, AZAFAROS B.V. A.G. initiated a Phase 3 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral nizubaglustat (AZ-3102) in late-infantile and juvenile forms of Niemann-Pick type C disease – a key step showcasing the momentum in rare neurodegenerative conditions, adding to the broader innovation landscape. The leading Frontotemporal Dementia Companies such as Alector, GSK, Eli Lilly and Company, Transposon Therapeutics, Inc., Passage Bio, AviadoBio, Vesper Bio, Neurimmune AG, Asceneuron SA and others. 📢 The insights from DelveInsight’s Frontotemporal Dementia Pipeline 2025 Report serve as a valuable resource for stakeholders, investors, and healthcare professionals, offering a roadmap to understand where the field is heading and how opportunities can be harnessed. 👉 Stay informed with DelveInsight’s Pipeline Reports @ https://lnkd.in/dzSW_sxV #FrontotemporalDementia #FTD #Pipeline2025 #DelveInsight #NeurodegenerativeDiseases #ClinicalTrials #DrugDevelopment #HealthcareResearch #PharmaInnovation

Slowing the Progression of Dementia: A New Era in Research For decades, treatments for dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, have focused mainly on managing symptoms, not the underlying disease. That may be starting to change. Recent breakthroughs in drug research show real progress in slowing cognitive decline rather than simply alleviating symptoms. Lecanemab (Leqembi) and Donanemab are two new monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid buildup in the brain, shown to slow memory and thinking decline by 20–35% in early-stage Alzheimer’s. Though promising, these treatments are not cures and come with challenges, including side effects, high costs, and limited access. Researchers are also exploring tau-targeting antibodies, inflammation modulators, and AI-powered analyses to identify the right patients earlier and accelerate discovery. The future likely lies in combination therapies, targeting multiple biological pathways alongside lifestyle and vascular health strategies. The message is clear: early detection and intervention matter. Every small step toward slowing progression can translate to years of preserved memory, independence, and connection. Sources: Alzheimer’s Research UK – Researching new drugs for Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s Research UK – Donanemab: What is it and how does it work? NIHR Join Dementia Research – Clinical trial results on Donanemab Nature (2024) – Emerging directions in dementia therapeutics Feel free to leave your thoughts 😊 #DementiaResearch #AlzheimersAwareness #Neuroscience #ClinicalTrials #HealthcareInnovation #AgingWell #MedicalResearch #BrainHealth #PublicHealth #Dementia

Very important finding! It seems that lithium will play a role in Alzheimer's treatment in the coming years. https://lnkd.in/dnmmCBht. But to be realistic lithium supplements had a positive impact only to mice in the labs... Ir seems very preliminary but still promising! New hope has emerged for those affected by Alzheimer's disease thanks to a surprising finding: lithium supplements. In groundbreaking research, lithium, a mineral often used in treating mood disorders, has been found to reverse memory loss associated with Alzheimer's. This discovery marks a monumental step in the search for solutions to one of the most challenging diseases affecting millions worldwide. Alzheimer’s is notorious for its gradual decline of memory and cognitive functions. Until now, treatment options have been limited, and progress has been slow. However, the potential of lithium as a treatment for this devastating condition provides fresh optimism. Researchers have uncovered that lithium may help regenerate damaged neurons in the brain, thereby reversing some of the damage caused by Alzheimer's. The discovery opens up new pathways for Alzheimer's treatment, suggesting that lithium could play a critical role in not only halting memory loss but possibly even improving cognitive abilities. This could revolutionize the way we approach the disease, offering hope to families and individuals grappling with its effects. It’s a breakthrough that could change the future of Alzheimer’s care for the better. For those living with Alzheimer’s, this new treatment could mean more time with loved ones, better quality of life, and a chance to preserve their memories. The research into lithium offers an exciting new direction that could significantly impact the way we approach aging and cognitive decline in the future. The road ahead may hold the key to unlocking better treatment options that could change lives. As scientists continue their work on lithium’s potential, it’s important to acknowledge the incredible progress that has been made. We are closer than ever to finding effective solutions to some of the most complex health issues, and lithium could be one of the keys to improving the lives of those with Alzheimer's. 💊🧠

Not one but two mysteries solved for semantic dementia / semantic variant primary progressive aphasia. 1. the missing right-SDs. In clinical studies, left sided predominance outnumbers right-sided predominance by 4:1. But, in an unbiased prospective study of cases emerging from UK Biobank volunteers, the prevalence of left and right SD is the same - ~5/100,000 each ! 2. presymptomatic SD. Because SD/svPPA are rare and sporadic (not familial), there is very little known about the years before symptom onset. We report five cases with coincidental discovery focal temporal polar atrophy (as healthy volunteers in research into cognition or ageing, or extracranial illnesses); and then describe preclinical phase of the cases in BioBank. Credit to David Whiteside for his excellent work, now online at Brain. He describes the early presymptomatic cases, then uses an ensemble-based classifier, to accurately differentiate baseline MRI in SD from healthy controls and people with other neurodegenerative diseases, in two large clinical cohorts (~1000 patients combined). He takes these insights to 61,203 participants with structural brain MRI in UK Biobank, finding many undiagnosed individuals with imaging changes in keeping with SD. While semantic deficits across multiple domains can be detected in the early symptomatic phase, substantial atrophy is required before symptoms emerge, especially where atrophy is right-predominant. https://lnkd.in/eGrvasav

New medications for Alzheimer’s disease – which are not yet approved in some countries – have shown for the first time that clinical decline can be slowed with comparable effectiveness to approved medications for breast and lung cancer, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis in reducing disability, according to a new analysis.   The analysis is included in a series of papers published in The Lancet which look at the current clinical landscape in Alzheimer’s disease. BRC-supported clinicians at UCL and UCLH Prof Nick Fox, Prof Cath Mummery and Prof Olga Ciccarelli contributed to the series.   People with AD face many disabilities, including but not limited to cognitive and memory problems, difficulties with everyday tasks, progressive loss of independence, and isolation. A priority for many families of patients with AD is to preserve functional independence and reduce time spent with disability. The analysis highlights that in addition to the devastating impact on patients and families there is a tremendous economic burden due of dementia.   The analysis finds that the drugs lecanemab and donanemab – anti-amyloid antibody medications which can slow progression of AD, and which have been approved by medical regulators in some countries but not all – reduced clinical decline by 27-35% in 18 month trials. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eSCZjTFf UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences

The Lancet's New Alzheimer's Disease Series: Three Papers on Clinical Advances 🧠 The Lancet Group published a three-part series (https://lnkd.in/eER-ExAg) this week examining the changing clinical landscape in Alzheimer's disease. These papers address diagnosis, treatment, and future directions in a field experiencing significant developments. → New landscape of the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: Blood biomarkers are beginning to change how we diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The p-Tau 217 test can detect brain amyloid pathology before symptoms develop, potentially moving us beyond the traditional reliance on post-mortem diagnosis. This shift would have practical implications for memory clinics and healthcare systems adapting to new diagnostic workflows. - https://lnkd.in/eqW2y4rK → Treatment for Alzheimer's disease: Two anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies (lecanemab and donanemab) have received approval for early-stage Alzheimer's disease. This paper provides clinical guidance on integrating these treatments with existing care approaches for cognitive and behavioural symptoms. The focus remains on improving quality of life for patients and carers alongside these new therapeutic options. - https://lnkd.in/eg4X_QZd → Alzheimer's disease outlook: controversies and future directions: The clinical community has mixed views on anti-amyloid treatments. Some see meaningful disease modification; others question the benefit-to-risk ratio. This paper compares these therapies to biologics used in cancer and autoimmune diseases, and discusses alternative targets and prevention strategies under investigation. - https://lnkd.in/esmHfnbV Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50-70% of dementia cases. With 55 million people living with dementia worldwide and numbers projected to triple by 2050, these clinical advances address a growing public health challenge that requires immediate attention. #neurology #dementia #alzheimers #diagnosis #treatment