Oneline

Ab4AD mines protective antibodies from dementia-free elders to enable early Alzheimer's diagnostics and support long-term vaccine development.

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and accounts for most dementia cases worldwide. The project builds on the pathogen hypothesis, which links pathogen exposure and immune response to AD risk.

Ab4AD focuses on two pathogens frequently discussed in this context: herpes viruses and P. gingivalis. The core question is why some individuals remain dementia-free into advanced age despite exposure.

Aims

• Profile antibodies in saliva and blood from elderly individuals without dementia.
• Compare those antibody profiles against AD cohorts and younger controls.
• Identify protective immune signatures linked to resilience.
• Use findings to support low-cost, non-invasive early AD diagnostics and downstream translational work.

Hypothesis & Results

Hypothesis: Individuals who remain dementia-free despite pathogen exposure may carry protective antibody signatures that can be detected and translated into diagnostics.

Current status: Recorded stage is target discovery, and the latest portfolio update notes a completed final report.

Next step: Test pharma partner interest for follow-on development.

Timeline

• December 1, 2024: Funding date recorded for AB4AD.
• Research phase: Target discovery and antibody-focused comparative analysis plan.
• February 3, 2026: Latest recorded update; final report milestone marked complete.
• Next milestone: Testing pharma partner interest.