Patent ID: 7501397

Claim:
A compound of formula: R1—(R2) n —R3 wherein: R1 is selected from the group consisting of an acyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, and an aminocarbonyl; (R2) n is an oligomer of n amino acids R2, each selected independently of any other; each R2 is independently an achiral, L- or D-amino acid; n is an integer from 11 to 16, inclusive; and R3 is selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl, an alkoxyl, an aryloxyl, an amino, an aminoalkyl, and an aminoaryl; and wherein (R2) n comprises at least one dipeptide that mimics a secretase cleavage site in an amyloid precursor protein (APP), wherein at least one said dipeptide is aminoisobutyric acid-O-benzyl threonine (Aib-Thr(OBz)); and wherein the compound assumes a substantially helical conformation in solution.