Melbourne company Prana Biotechnology is investigating the potential of its lead compound, PBT2, in Huntington’s disease.

PBT2, a metal-protein-attenuating compound (MPAC), is in Phase IIb clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease.

The compound reduces the toxic metal-protein interaction seen in both neurological diseases and has a neuroprotective effect.

Chairman of Prana’s R&D advisory board, Professor Jeffery Cummings, told the company’s AGM that a report commissioned from an independent clinical research group recommended that Prana proceed to clinical trials.

Prana is in confidential talks with several pharma companies with a view to licensing PBT2, the company said.