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TACRINE (Cognex). A story of serendipity & Innovation. History of Tacrine, The FDA, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Begins at the dawn of the 20 th century. Dr. Summers becomes involved in 1976 with research on delirium.
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TACRINE (Cognex) A story of serendipity & Innovation
History of Tacrine, The FDA, and Alzheimer’s Disease • Begins at the dawn of the 20th century. • Dr. Summers becomes involved in 1976 with research on delirium. • In 1986 a UCLA team lead by Dr. Summers publishes a treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease for one year with Tacrine.
Rules of Invention • Wrong Place • Wrong Industry • Wrong Time • Wrong Reasons
Dr. Summers was • In private psychiatric practice (not at University or in neurology) • Doing self-funded research (no grants) • Received substantial publicity at a time that a major charity was promoting via President Regan’s administration that there was “No treatment” • Wrote a patent application so that there would be commercial interest and he could get further funding of his research.
In Time Dr. Summers learns • Control your destiny • Speak out when you are right • There will be support • Sometimes and invention needs a champion. • Become an activist
Tacrine became availableto the American public on September 30, 1993 as the first treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.