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ß-amyloid is a brain cell toxin that plays an important role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Reducing the levels of ß-amyloid produced in AD is the focus of this drug discovery and lead compound selection program. ß-secretase (BACE) is one of the two enzymes responsible for producing ß-amyloid. Dr. Jordan Tang Zapaq’s founding scientist discovered a unique version of BACE known as BACE-1. Dr. Tang proposes to discover and develop new compounds to block the activity of BACE-1. To date he has found 200 potential lead compounds that will be further developed in this ISOA program. The overall aim is to provide funding to Zapaq, an early stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel pharmaceuticals that inhibit the enzyme BACE-1 and are therapeutic for AD. Dr. Tang will further develop approximately 200 lead BACE-1 inhibitor compounds. The most potent (active) compounds will be evaluated in preclinical studies employing animal models of AD. Zapaq is a start-up biotechnology company that was co-founded last year by ISOA and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The founding scientist, Dr. Tang, has played a leading role in determining the molecular structure of aspartic proteases and pioneered the fundamental drug design that is used in all marketed HIV-protease AIDS drugs today. The company has recently been granted a worldwide license to intellectual property concerning the BACE-1 related inhibitors. If successful this program may be the first to identify BACE-1 inhibitors that will serve as lead candidates for clinical development in AD.