Non-human primate studies show favorable pharmacokinetics and clear pharmacodynamic activity across fluid and imaging biomarkers, supporting a therapy aimed at both familial and sporadic Alzheimer’s disease
BOSTON, July 15, 2026 – Epoch Biotech, a company developing therapies for Alzheimer’s disease built on the protective biology of the APOE Christchurch variant, today presented new preclinical findings for its lead program, 7C11, at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026 in London.
7C11 is a humanized antibody engineered to replicate the effects of the APOE Christchurch variant – a rare genetic trait linked to strong natural resistance to Alzheimer’s disease. Epoch licensed the antibody from Massachusetts General Brigham (MGB).
New Data At AAIC 2026
In non-human primate studies – including single doses of 10 and 40 mg/kg and a 60-day multi-dose regimen at 20 mg/kg with MRI monitoring – 7C11 produced:
- A consistent pharmacokinetic profile across both single- and multi-dose studies
- Rapid pharmacodynamic effects on established and novel Alzheimer’s biomarkers in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid
- A differentiated imaging signal, with the multi-dose cohort showing effects on blood-brain-barrier integrity as measured by MRI
- Consistent activity across animal subgroups, including young, older, and diabetic primates, with no dyslipidemia or other adverse findings
Together, the alignment between drug exposure and downstream biological effects – across both fluid and imaging measures – strengthens the case that 7C11 engages its intended target and produces a real biological response, according to the company.
Leadership Commentary
“These data mark an important inflection point for Epoch and for 7C11,” said Joseph Arboleda-Velasquez, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder and incoming Chief Scientific Officer of Epoch Biotech. He noted that the consistency across both types of biomarkers reinforces the company’s confidence in how well the animal data may translate to humans, and reiterated that Epoch’s aim is a therapy that could help patients across the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum, not only those who carry the protective variant.
About 7C11
7C11 is an investigational antibody designed to mimic the protective effects of the APOE Christchurch variant by blocking harmful interactions with heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). This mechanism has been linked to lower amyloid and tau pathology, reduced neuroinflammation, and preserved function of the brain’s blood vessels. Epoch is developing 7C11 with the goal of delaying, preventing, and treating Alzheimer’s disease in both familial and sporadic forms.
About Epoch Biotech
Founded in 2022, Epoch Biotech was created to build on scientific discoveries tied to the APOE Christchurch variant – a rare genetic trait associated with remarkable resilience to Alzheimer’s disease.
The company’s founding insight traces back to a patient in Colombia who carried a high-risk familial Alzheimer’s mutation (PSEN1 E280A) yet remained cognitively healthy for decades past the expected age of onset, a result attributed to the presence of the APOE Christchurch variant.
That case has helped reshape scientific understanding of what drives resistance to Alzheimer’s disease. Epoch is applying these insights to develop therapies intended to extend this protective effect to broader patient populations, with 7C11 as its lead program.