Steven L. Wagner, Ph.D.

University of California, San Diego
(1958–2022)


After obtaining postgraduate degrees in microbiology and molecular genetics, Dr. Steven Wagner started his career studying Alzheimer’s disease at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. As a member of the team that identified amyloid precursor protein (APP), which has a pivotal role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, he established his importance in the field of research early in his career. An extremely warm individual who made those around him feel special, Dr. Wagner was genuine in his personal goal: to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. “When it came to actually translating scientific research into new therapies that might help patients or even end Alzheimer’s disease, once and for all, Steve was second to none,” said his friend and colleague, Dr. Rudy Tanzi. Dr. Tanzi continued, “In 2000, Steve and I co-founded a company to develop a drug that is now one of the field’s greatest hopes for stopping Alzheimer’s disease. When we finally beat Alzheimer’s disease, Steve will have played a major role.”

Related Research:

Funded Research

These projects were made possible from Cure Alzheimer's Fund support.

Project Description Researchers Funding
Comprehensive Analyses of Chronic Efficacy Studies with GSM 776890 for Submission of the Pre-IND Brochure to the FDA Prior to Pre-IND Meeting and IND Filing for the SAD/MAD Phase I Safety/Toxicity and Ultimately for Phase II and Phase III Efficacy Clinical Trials to Support the NDA 2020

$259,366

The Effect of Chronic Gamma-Secretase Modulation on the Prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury-Provoked and Alzheimer’s Disease-Relevant Biochemical, Pathological and Behavioral Alterations 2018-2019

$460,000

Biochemical Mapping of the GSM Binding Site of Novel Pyridazine-Derived Small Molecule Gamma-Secretase Modulators 2017 and 2019

$600,000

Binding Site Characterization of a Novel Pyridazine-Derived Class of γ-Secretase Modulators 2016

$194,950

Acceleration of FDA-Required GLP Gene Toxicity Studies with the GSM BPN-15606 2016

$144,450

Lead Optimization and Lead Evolution of Potent SGSMs for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease 2015

$476,988

Elucidation of the Molecular Target of Potent γ-Secretase Modulators 2014

$250,000

Elucidation of the mechanism of action of Gamma Secretase Modulators 2013

$150,000

Novel Soluble Gamma-Secretase Modulators for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease Identification of the Molecular Target of Potent Gamma-Secretase Modulators 2011, 2012

$300,000

Design, Synthesis and Characterization of Novel and Potent Gamma Secretase Modulators: Physiochemical and Pharmacokinetic Properties 2009

$200,000

Novel Soluable Gamma-Secretase Modulators 2010

$250,000