Company Description
Alector, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALEC) is a late-stage, clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in South San Francisco, California. The company focuses on developing therapies to counteract the devastating progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Alector applies principles from genetics, immunology, and neuroscience to design drug candidates intended to modify disease biology rather than only addressing symptoms.
A central theme across Alector’s programs is targeting mechanisms that remove toxic proteins, replace deficient proteins, and restore immune and nerve cell function. Supported by biomarker data, its product candidates are being developed for indications such as frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as other neurodegenerative conditions where these mechanisms may play a role.
Core Scientific Approach and Therapeutic Focus
Alector describes its pipeline as genetically validated, reflecting an emphasis on targets and pathways with human genetic support. By integrating genetics with immunology and neuroscience, the company aims to identify and modulate key drivers of neurodegeneration, including progranulin biology, toxic protein aggregation, and dysfunctional immune responses in the brain.
In collaboration with GSK, Alector is advancing progranulin (PGRN)–elevating monoclonal antibodies designed to increase progranulin levels in the brain. These investigational antibodies are intended to address conditions in which reduced progranulin impairs neuronal function and contributes to neurodegeneration.
Key Clinical Programs
Alector’s late-stage clinical portfolio includes progranulin-focused programs developed with GSK:
- Latozinemab (AL001): An investigational human monoclonal antibody designed to block and internalize the sortilin receptor to elevate progranulin levels in the brain. It has been evaluated in the pivotal INFRONT-3 Phase 3 trial in individuals with frontotemporal dementia due to a GRN gene mutation (FTD-GRN). In this 96-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, latozinemab did not meet the clinical co-primary endpoint of slowing FTD-GRN progression, although it achieved a statistically significant effect on the biomarker co-primary endpoint of plasma progranulin concentrations. Based on these results, the open-label extension portion of INFRONT-3 and the continuation study for latozinemab are being discontinued.
- Nivisnebart (AL101/GSK4527226): An investigational human monoclonal antibody also designed to block and internalize the sortilin receptor to elevate progranulin levels in the brain. It is being studied in PROGRESS-AD, a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial in individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease. Enrollment in PROGRESS-AD has been completed, and the trial is planned as a 76-week study with an independent interim analysis.
Alector has reported that nivisnebart is distinct from latozinemab, with differentiated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties that may make it suitable for the potential treatment of more prevalent neurodegenerative diseases.
Alector Brain Carrier (ABC) Platform
Beyond its antibody programs, Alector is developing the Alector Brain Carrier (ABC), a proprietary blood-brain barrier (BBB) technology platform. ABC is built on design principles of versatility and tunability, with differentiated binding to a distinct region of the transferrin receptor (TfR). The platform is intended to support targeted delivery of therapeutic cargos to the brain and to optimize safety and efficacy at lower doses.
ABC’s tunable TfR binding affinities are designed to allow adjustment of binding strength and drug configuration to align with the needs of diverse cargos, including antibodies, enzymes, proteins, and siRNA. The goal is to achieve efficient transport across the BBB while balancing brain uptake, potency, and safety. Alector is selectively applying ABC to its next-generation product candidates and research pipeline.
ABC-Enabled Pipeline Programs
Alector is advancing multiple preclinical and research-stage programs enabled by the ABC platform. These include:
- AL137: A lead candidate selected for Alector’s ABC-enabled anti-amyloid beta (Aβ) antibody program in Alzheimer’s disease. AL137 is engineered for brain uptake, potency, safety, and convenience. It features a high-affinity, humanized antibody that selectively binds PyroGlu3, a validated epitope on the toxic form of Aβ found in plaques, a fully active effector function intended to recruit myeloid cells to remove plaques, and Alector’s proprietary ABC element tuned to facilitate brain penetration and plaque removal while aiming to minimize hematologic adverse effects. In preclinical studies, AL137 has demonstrated robust brain penetration at low doses, supporting the potential for low-dose, subcutaneous administration.
- AL050: A lead candidate for an ABC-enabled glucocerebrosidase (GCase) enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) program in Parkinson’s disease and potentially Lewy body dementia associated with GBA loss-of-function mutations. AL050 incorporates an engineered GCase with improved activity and stability, a silenced effector function to maximize safety, and an ABC component with a TfR epitope and affinity designed to enhance delivery across the BBB. In preclinical studies, AL050 increased GCase activity in rodents and non-human primates and reduced toxic substrate accumulation in a rodent GBA disease model without apparent hematologic findings.
- ABC siRNA platform: Alector is progressing an ABC-enabled siRNA platform designed for peripheral dosing, with the aim of providing more convenient administration and homogeneous drug distribution throughout the brain compared with traditional intrathecal or intracerebroventricular delivery. Current programs include:
- ADP064-ABC, an anti-tau siRNA for Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies, including frontotemporal dementia.
- ADP062-ABC, an alpha-synuclein siRNA for Parkinson’s disease and potentially Lewy body dementia.
- ADP065-ABC, an NLRP3 siRNA for a range of neurodegenerative diseases.
Disease Areas and Indications
Across its programs, Alector is targeting neurodegenerative conditions characterized by protein misfolding, lysosomal dysfunction, and immune dysregulation in the central nervous system. Indications specifically referenced in the company’s materials include:
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), including FTD due to GRN gene mutations (FTD-GRN).
- Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including early Alzheimer’s disease in the PROGRESS-AD trial and tau-related pathologies addressed by siRNA programs.
- Parkinson’s disease (PD), including forms associated with GBA loss-of-function mutations.
- Lewy body dementia in the context of GBA-related disease and alpha-synuclein–targeted approaches.
By focusing on genetically informed mechanisms such as progranulin elevation, amyloid beta clearance, GCase replacement, and modulation of tau, alpha-synuclein, and NLRP3, Alector aims to address underlying drivers of neurodegeneration.
Corporate and Operational Highlights
Alector’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ALEC. The company has described itself as both a clinical-stage and late-stage clinical biotechnology company, reflecting the presence of pivotal and Phase 2 trials alongside preclinical and research-stage programs.
In connection with the Phase 3 INFRONT-3 results for latozinemab, Alector has implemented workforce reductions intended to align resources with its highest-priority programs and extend its cash runway. According to an 8-K filing, the company committed to a plan to reduce its workforce by approximately 49%, with estimated restructuring charges related to severance and associated benefits.
Alector also reports ongoing collaboration revenue and research and development spending related to its partnered and wholly owned programs. Periodic financial updates are provided through earnings press releases and associated Form 8-K filings that summarize quarterly results and cash position.
Leadership and Governance Developments
Alector’s SEC filings and press releases describe changes in key leadership roles. In June 2025, the company reported via Form 8-K that its then–Chief Financial Officer would conclude his tenure and that Neil Berkley, the company’s Chief Business Officer, would assume the role of Interim Chief Financial Officer. In a subsequent Form 8-K dated December 10, 2025, Alector disclosed that its board of directors appointed Mr. Berkley as Chief Financial Officer, with no changes to his existing compensatory arrangements, and that he would continue to serve as Chief Business Officer and principal financial officer.
The company has also reported leadership transitions in research and development, including the planned resignation of its President and Head of R&D, as disclosed in an October 2025 Form 8-K, with related separation arrangements described in that filing.
Position Within the Biotechnology and Neurodegeneration Landscape
According to its public statements, Alector positions itself as a biotechnology company focused on neurodegeneration with a portfolio that spans late-stage clinical candidates and earlier-stage, platform-enabled programs. Its work centers on genetically informed targets, progranulin biology, and BBB delivery technologies, with the goal of developing therapies for serious neurodegenerative diseases that currently lack approved disease-modifying treatments, such as FTD-GRN.
The company’s collaboration with GSK on latozinemab and nivisnebart, along with its proprietary ABC platform for brain delivery of antibodies, enzymes, and siRNA, are central elements of its stated strategy to address complex neurological conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alector, Inc.
- What does Alector, Inc. do?
Alector is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies to counteract the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. It advances genetically informed programs that aim to remove toxic proteins, replace deficient proteins, and restore immune and nerve cell function, with product candidates for conditions such as frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. - Where is Alector headquartered?
Alector states that it is headquartered in South San Francisco, California. - On which exchange does Alector trade, and what is its ticker symbol?
Alector’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ALEC. - What is the Alector Brain Carrier (ABC) platform?
Alector Brain Carrier (ABC) is the company’s proprietary blood-brain barrier technology platform. It is designed to use tunable binding to a distinct region of the transferrin receptor to deliver therapeutic cargos such as antibodies, enzymes, proteins, and siRNA to the brain, with the goal of enhancing brain penetration and balancing potency and safety at lower doses. - Which neurodegenerative diseases are Alector’s programs targeting?
According to company materials, Alector’s product candidates seek to treat a range of indications, including frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Its programs also address related conditions such as FTD-GRN, tauopathies, and GBA mutation–associated Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. - What is latozinemab (AL001), and what were the INFRONT-3 trial results?
Latozinemab is an investigational human monoclonal antibody developed with GSK to elevate progranulin levels in the brain by blocking and internalizing the sortilin receptor. It was evaluated in the INFRONT-3 Phase 3 trial in individuals with FTD-GRN. Alector has reported that latozinemab did not meet the clinical co-primary endpoint of slowing disease progression, although it achieved a statistically significant effect on plasma progranulin levels, and that the open-label extension and continuation studies will be discontinued. - What is nivisnebart (AL101/GSK4527226)?
Nivisnebart (AL101/GSK4527226) is an investigational human monoclonal antibody designed to elevate progranulin levels in the brain by targeting the sortilin receptor. It is being evaluated in the PROGRESS-AD Phase 2 trial in individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease. The program is part of Alector’s collaboration with GSK and is described as distinct from latozinemab, with different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. - What are AL137 and AL050?
AL137 and AL050 are ABC-enabled preclinical candidates. AL137 is an anti-amyloid beta antibody program for Alzheimer’s disease that uses a high-affinity, humanized antibody targeting the PyroGlu3 epitope on toxic Aβ and incorporates the ABC element to support brain penetration. AL050 is an engineered glucocerebrosidase enzyme replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease and potentially Lewy body dementia, designed to increase GCase activity in the brain using ABC-mediated delivery. - What is Alector’s ABC-enabled siRNA platform?
Alector’s ABC-enabled siRNA platform is designed for peripheral dosing to deliver siRNA therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier. Programs described by the company include ADP064-ABC (anti-tau siRNA for Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia), ADP062-ABC (alpha-synuclein siRNA for Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia), and ADP065-ABC (NLRP3 siRNA for multiple neurodegenerative diseases). - How does Alector communicate financial and operational updates?
Alector provides financial results and business updates through press releases and associated Form 8-K filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings typically summarize quarterly collaboration revenue, research and development and general and administrative expenses, net loss, and cash, cash equivalents, and investment balances, as well as key portfolio and corporate developments.