Disease Areas

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are characterized by a buildup of incorrectly folded, aggregated and ultimately neurotoxic proteins in nerve cells. These proteins include Aβ 1-42 and tau in AD, and α-synuclein in PD.

Under disease conditions, a fraction of these proteins become misfolded, and form unnatural structures and aggregates within neurons in the brain. This aggregation brings about a cascade of cellular events that ultimately cause toxicity to the neurons and widespread neuronal malfunction and death, resulting in the behavioral and cognitive pathologies that are characteristic of these diseases.

Link Medicine's therapeutic approach is to target this common causative feature and to restore the natural balance between the production and clearance of toxic protein aggregates. We aim to develop disease-modifying drugs that will prevent the further deterioration of treated individuals, an approach that so far is unavailable to these underserved patient populations.

Disease Facts

Parkinson's disease affects 1.5 million Americans, and more than 10 million people worldwide.
Alzheimer's disease affects 5.2 million Americans, and more than 25 million people worldwide. This prevalence is projected to grow to over 100 million by the year 2050.


Overview Disease Areas Scientific Background Our Approach	Disease Areas Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are characterized by a buildup of incorrectly folded, aggregated and ultimately neurotoxic proteins in nerve cells. These proteins include Aβ 1-42 and tau in AD, and α-synuclein in PD. Under disease conditions, a fraction of these proteins become misfolded, and form unnatural structures and aggregates within neurons in the brain. This aggregation brings about a cascade of cellular events that ultimately cause toxicity to the neurons and widespread neuronal malfunction and death, resulting in the behavioral and cognitive pathologies that are characteristic of these diseases. Link Medicine's therapeutic approach is to target this common causative feature and to restore the natural balance between the production and clearance of toxic protein aggregates. We aim to develop disease-modifying drugs that will prevent the further deterioration of treated individuals, an approach that so far is unavailable to these underserved patient populations. Disease Facts Parkinson's disease affects 1.5 million Americans, and more than 10 million people worldwide. Alzheimer's disease affects 5.2 million Americans, and more than 25 million people worldwide. This prevalence is projected to grow to over 100 million by the year 2050.