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Socratech LLCAlzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the developed world. The disease affects 5 million people in the U.S. with an estimated cost to the healthcare system in excess of $100 million annually. While much research is centered on brain cell death associated with plaque accumulation, the major thrust in Socratech is the novel concept that the vascular system plays a key role in initiating the pathology of brain cells and therefore represents a primary therapeutic target for both AD and stroke. URMC’s Berislav V. Zlokovic, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Associate Chair, Neurosurgery and Director of the Frank P. Smith Laboratory for Neuroscience and Neurosurgery Research, founded Socratech in 2000. Socratech’s portfolio includes new therapeutic approaches for vascular and brain cell protection, removal of Alzheimer’s toxin, diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s disease, and identification of new diagnostic markers and molecular targets for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. URMC and Socratech have filed six patent applications covering these fields. The company was founded in part with $7 million in start-up funding from California-based MSZ Investors. In 2004 the Small Business Innovation Research program awarded the company three grants worth a total of $300,000 to explore the connections between the brain’s vascular system and Alzheimer’s disease. Socratech employs four full-time researchers in Rochester, NY and engages a team of consultants from URMC and beyond. More information about Socratech is available on the web. |
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