MER5101

MER5101 is an experimental active immunotherapy vaccine candidate designed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The vaccine construct consists of multiple copies of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) 1-15 peptide fragment—a B-cell epitope selected to avoid the pro-inflammatory T-cell responses associated with earlier Aβ vaccines—conjugated to a diphtheria toxoid carrier protein via a 7-amino acid spacer. It is formulated with a Th2-biased adjuvant to stimulate a humoral immune response aimed at clearing Aβ plaques while minimizing potentially harmful Th1-mediated inflammatory responses. Preclinical studies in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mouse models have demonstrated that MER5101 immunization can reduce Aβ pathology and influence the hippocampal epigenome, specifically by decreasing levels of DNA hydroxymethylation and DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A), which are linked to cognitive functioning.

Other names

Aβ1-15-diphtheria toxoid vaccine