Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation Funds Development Of Clinical Tests For Alzheimer's Disease

The Alzheimer's Drug
Discovery Foundation (ADDF) awarded the British firm of Cambridge
Cognition Ltd. a grant of $200,000 to assist in their development of
a clinical cognitive assessment product for Alzheimer's disease. ADDF
made this award as part of its effort to advance early detection and
the reliable assessment of cognitive function in patients with
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in clinical care, as well as
accelerate drug development and clinical monitoring of therapy.



Cambridge Cognition is a world leader in the development of
computerized cognitive tests, with its CANTAB battery, which are now
in use in over 500 research departments in over 60 countries. Their
Paired Associate Learning (PAL) test is widely recognized as being
the most accurate current test for the detection of early stage
dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment, as well as accurately
differentiating between demented and normal patients and those
suffering from depression. This test will form the basis for the
future clinical assessment of AD.



"The market for computerized cognitive tests in diseases such as
Alzheimer's is expanding, maturing and gaining recognition," remarked
Howard Fillit, MD and Executive Director of ADDF.?  "The device and
tests being developed by Cambridge Cognition will enable the
clinician to accurately identify patients with cognitive impairment
due to early dementia. The device will also enable clinicians to
objectively measure the ongoing effects of disease modifying drugs
currently in development and promote their effective use.?  We
assessed Cambridge Cognition both on the quality of their science and
for commercial due diligence.?  Their scientific base is outstanding
with over 600 quality peer reviewed papers and we believe that their
'stand alone' device has clinical merit."



Ian Harris, The CEO of Cambridge Cognition, welcomed the grant as
"this will really speed up our time to market and is an enormous vote
of confidence in both our science and our business model by a highly
respected independent charity.?  This test when in clinical use will
make a real difference to patient outcomes."



About the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)



ADDF is the only public charity whose sole mission is to accelerate
the discovery and development of drugs to prevent, treat and cure
Alzheimer's disease, related dementias and cognitive aging. We award
grants to leading scientists conducting breakthrough drug discovery
research.



ADDF uses a venture philanthropy model to bridge the worldwide
funding gap between basic research and later-stage development, using
any return on investment to support new research. Since 1998, we have
received over 1,600 requests to fund new ideas for Alzheimer's drugs.
For all, we provided expert reviews and recommendations to advance
their programs. We granted more than $35M to fund over 240
Alzheimer's drug discovery programs in academic centers and
biotechnology companies in 12 countries. For more information, visit
our website at alzdiscovery.



About Cambridge Cognition Ltd.



Cambridge Cognition develops and markets CANTAB(R), the world's
leading cognitive testing product for the diagnosis and assessment of
important mental health diseases including Alzheimer's, Depression,
Schizophrenia and ADHD. The computerised neuropsychological tests in
CANTAB(R) are outstandingly sensitive and extensively validated, with
a bibliography of over 600 peer-reviewed journal papers. Based in
Cambridge, England, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, Cambridge Cognition
Ltd supplies its products and services to the pharmaceutical industry
and academic researchers across the globe.

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation