Daniel Chain Founds CereSpir

Daniel Chain recently resigned from Intellect Neurosciences to found a new company, CereSpir Incorporated, to develop a first-in-class drug candidate for Alzheimer’s disease. CHF 5074, is a small molecule with a unique neuroprotective microglial modulating activity that has demonstrated potential in Phase 2 clinical trials to treat patients at the very earliest stages of Alzheimer’s and possibly prevent it altogether in those at highest risk of developing the disease. CereSpir is acquiring exclusive global rights for CHF 5074 from Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA of Parma, Italy.

A 14-week double blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that showed dose dependent reductions in markers of neuroinflammation in cerebrospinal fluid has continued as an open label extension study for almost two years. An interim analysis showed highly significant improvement in cognition especially in APOE4 patients at 88 weeks, especially for verbal memory and executive function. Interim analysis results from this study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2013 in Boston. Forty-three patients are expected to reach the 90-week endpoint of the Phase 2 study at the end of 2013. CereSpir will be responsible for the late-stage development and commercialization of CHF 5074, and expects to initiate phase 3 clinical trials in 2014.

Daniel Chain is a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in the development of drugs for Alzheimer’s. He previously founded Intellect Neurosciences and Jerusalem-based Mindset BioPharmaceuticals. He is a Ph.D graduate of the Weizmann Institute.