Elan Research & Development
Discovery Research Projects
Elan’s discovery research efforts are centered on bringing science and innovation to patients in its core therapeutic focus areas of neurology, autoimmune diseases and severe pain.
In neurology, Elan is focused on building upon its breakthrough research and extensive experience in the area of neuropathology-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, where the company’s efforts include programs focused on small molecule inhibitors of beta secretase and gamma secretase, enzymes whose actions are thought to affect the accumulation of the amyloid plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Elan is also studying other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.
In autoimmune diseases, Elan’s primary emphasis is studying cell trafficking to discover ways to provide disease-modifying therapies for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease; and in severe pain, research efforts focus on inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
In neurology, Elan, in collaboration with Wyeth, initiated a Phase II clinical trial for an experimental humanized monoclonal antibody with a targeted indication of immunotherapeutic treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The humanized monoclonal antibody is designed and engineered to clear the neurotoxic beta-amyloid peptide that accumulates in the brains of patients with AD. In autoimmune diseases, Elan’s primary emphasis is studying and developing ways to provide disease-modifying therapies for a wide range of diseases. |
