EastGate Biotech Corp. announced that it has initiated plans to expand its alternative insulin delivery portfolio to apply to the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The initial plan is to determine the most patient-friendly and effective delivery of the company’s innovative insulin solution to treat the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The company is currently evaluating its options in this proof of concept trial, which could be company sponsored or a collaboration. The primary endpoint of Alzheimer’s disease is delaying the progression of the disease which is measured in terms of stabilization of memory loss and improvement in the status of self-care. A prevalent theory amongst the medical community that is attracting some attention is that Alzheimer’s disease is categorized as Type 3 diabetes. Insulin is critical to brain function and plays a significant role in learning and memory. According to scientific publications, researchers recently discovered that insulin receptors also exist in the brain. The treatment challenge is getting insulin across the blood brain barrier. Once across the blood brain barrier the insulin is capable of dissolving the Amyloid Beta Plaque that prevents the proper electrical signaling of the neurons. If insulin cannot reach the brain, learning and memory may be compromised leading to Alzheimer’s disease, or what is now being recognized as Type 3 diabetes. Standard insulin injections are unable to cross the blood brain barrier, but it is theorized that EastGate’s oral formulation may be able to cross over into the brain. As the U.S. population ages, Alzheimer’s disease has become a growing problem. The disease is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. Approximately 1 in 8 Americans ages 65 and over has Alzheimer’s, while nearly half will have the disease once they reach the age of 85. People who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as those without diabetes, according to the latest Neurology study. As such, it is assumed that there is a correlation: nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes grow older, the number of Alzheimer’s cases may increase as well. Insulin is a well-known protein and the company’s focus on alternative insulin delivery systems may allow for a quick-to-market treatment for Alzheimer’s versus long term research with new molecules. The company is in the process of developing an insulin protocol that will work best with Alzheimer’s patients.