Alzheimer’s disease science is in disarray and the risk associated with developing disease-modifying agents has driven many players from the field. But venturesome biotechs are finding backers to support efforts to look for a way forward: we profile Alzheon Inc., Neurotrack Inc., Rodin Therapeutics Inc., and Tetra Discovery Partners LLC.

Neuroscience track at the Therapeutic Area Partnerships conferencewill feature novel candidates for Alzheimer’s, depression, traumatic brain injury, Fragile X syndrome and post-herpetic neuralgia.

Most of the additional money will help support two trials – one for insulin as a treatment and one for crenezumab as a preventative. The Obama administration formally launched its national Alzheimer’s plan in the midst of a two-day meeting that underscored how little researchers know about the disease.