The institute is particularly focused on translational research that can lead to novel drug or other therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative disorders. In this regard, Institute scientists discovered that certain members of a class of drugs called dihydropyridines [DHPs] can lower the levels of amyloid beta in the brains of transgenic models of the disease and decided to take one of them, nilvadipine, forward into clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. This work was conducted by Archer Pharmaceuticals, a for-profit spin off of the institute, headed by Mullan. In partnership with colleagues at Trinity College, Dublin led by Brian Lawlor, Archer and Institute scientists conducted an open label phase I/II trial of nilvadipine in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease subjects. More recently, in collaboration with multiple partners at academic institutes in Europe, and again led by Lawlor, Archer and Roskamp Institute scientists partnered to conduct a phase III clinical trial of nilvadipine in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
