DavunetideInvestigational peptide
Davunetide was designed around a short fragment of a protein involved in nerve-cell support. Its major trial in progressive supranuclear palsy did not show the hoped-for clinical benefit.
What is Davunetide?
Davunetide, also called NAP, is an experimental peptide developed from a protein associated with nerve-cell support. Its major clinical programme studied progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP.
How it works
It was proposed to support microtubules, the structures involved in cell shape and internal transport. Its relation to tau biology motivated investigation in PSP.
Effects studied
PSP symptoms and daily activities
A placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial in 313 people found no benefit on either primary clinical measure after a year of intranasal treatment. This is a negative controlled result, not merely a lack of research. 2
Evidence: Randomised trial; primary outcomes negative
What does the evidence show?
A randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 study enrolled 313 people and found no benefit on its two primary clinical measures. This trial abstract was checked separately for this draft.
The idea behind the molecule
Davunetide, also called NAP, was investigated as a way to support microtubules—the internal structures that help cells maintain their shape and transport materials. It also attracted interest because of its relationship to tau biology. That made progressive supranuclear palsy, a disease associated with abnormal tau, an understandable target.
What the trial asked
The clinical question was whether treatment could slow deterioration in PSP symptoms and everyday activities. Participants received intranasal davunetide or placebo for a year. Neither primary outcome favoured the treatment. The published investigators concluded that it was not effective for PSP. 2
What this does and does not rule out
This is not simply an absence of research: a substantial controlled experiment produced a negative result. It does not logically answer every possible question about the molecule in every population. Any other use still needs convincing evidence of its own. The proposed mechanism cannot supply that evidence.
Beyond the efficacy result
Nasal adverse events were more frequent with davunetide in the trial. Earlier exploratory work in cognition involved different populations and questions. Those programmes are best considered separately, with attention to replication, rather than combined into a general claim that the peptide protects or improves the human brain.
Safety & status
Nasal adverse events were more frequent in the trial. Results from this preparation do not establish the tolerability of other routes or long-term uses.
Country and product status
This introduction describes the molecule and its research context. Product availability, approved indications and eligibility in Germany and Switzerland require a current local product check; they are not established by an overseas study or an online listing.
Frequently asked questions
Did davunetide work in the PSP trial?
No benefit was found on the two primary clinical outcomes. 2
Does that settle every possible use?
No, but another indication needs its own convincing evidence. The proposed mechanism cannot overturn the negative PSP result.
Sources
This entry was rewritten from our research archive. References below are reading leads unless a completed check is explicitly noted; a full independent evidence and regulatory review is still pending.
- Davunetide: paper 10.2174/138161211795589373 Research reference · Retained archive reference; not independently checked for this draft.
- Davunetide in progressive supranuclear palsy: randomised phase 2/3 trial Research reference · Primary PubMed abstract checked for the randomised progressive supranuclear palsy trial; no clinical benefit established.
Research provenance
This name was discovered in the Superpower peptide index, archived 26 October 2026. Its ratings and reviewer attribution have not been adopted as our own. The archive informed this original editorial draft; independent source review is still pending.