AltPep

AltPep is pioneering a novel approach to amyloid diseases by targeting the toxic soluble oligomers that form early in disease progression, rather than the later-stage plaques. Founded in 2018 on decades of academic research from the University of Washington, the company has built a dual-purpose platform for both diagnostics (SOBA) and therapeutics (SOBIN). Its lead programs are in preclinical development for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, aiming to enable pre-symptomatic intervention in a market affecting over a billion people globally. The company is led by its founder and CEO, Dr. Valerie Daggett, who discovered the foundational α-sheet structure.

Proprietary α-sheet targeting platform utilizing custom-designed synthetic peptides that selectively bind to toxic soluble oligomers for both therapeutic neutralization (SOBIN) and diagnostic detection (SOBA).

AltPep competes with large pharma and biotechs developing amyloid-targeting therapies (e.g., Eli Lilly, Biogen), but its focus on soluble oligomers via a peptide platform is a key differentiator. It also faces competition from other early diagnostic developers, though its oligomer-specific assay is unique. Its main challenge is validating a new target class.