--- title: "Davunetide | PepTracker Pro" url: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/davunetide description: "An eight-amino-acid ADNP-derived peptide studied for microtubule stabilization, tau-related neuroprotection, and rare ADNP syndrome." lang: en --- Skip to main content **Educational information only.** This site does not provide medical advice. Read full disclaimer (https://peptrackerpro.com/disclaimer) **Research-only content.** This page is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Read full disclaimer → (https://peptrackerpro.com/research-disclaimer) # Davunetide Low Evidence An eight-amino-acid ADNP-derived peptide studied for microtubule stabilization, tau-related neuroprotection, and rare ADNP syndrome. Aliases NAP +4 more Evidence Low Evidence Last Updated 2026-06-22 Reading Time 3 min ## What It Is Davunetide (NAP; sequence Asn-Ala-Pro-Val-Ser-Ile-Pro-Gln, NAPVSIPQ) is an eight-amino-acid fragment of activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), a glial protein released in response to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). It belongs to a mechanistically distinct class of neuroprotective peptides that act on the cellular cytoskeleton rather than on neurotransmitter receptors. In preclinical models, davunetide stabilizes microtubules — partly through interaction with the microtubule end-binding proteins EB1 and EB3 — and reduces hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein, the same protein that forms tangles in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. A 2023 study reported that davunetide penetrates the cell nucleus, helping explain its pleiotropic effects on gene expression and cytoskeletal repair. The compound has a long and instructive clinical history: developed originally by Allon Therapeutics as an intranasal spray (AL-108), it advanced to a large randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a pure tauopathy. That pivotal 313-patient trial, published in Lancet Neurology in 2014, was negative — davunetide did not slow disease progression on either primary endpoint. Earlier exploratory studies had reported memory signals in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and functional improvements in schizophrenia, but none established efficacy. In 2026, davunetide is regaining research attention through a focused second act: it was licensed from Tel Aviv University (the laboratory of Illana Gozes, who discovered ADNP and NAP) and is now in development as CP201 for ADNP syndrome (Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome), a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder. CP201 holds U.S. FDA orphan-drug and rare-pediatric-disease designations and EMA orphan status, and a pediatric phase 3 program began in late 2024. Davunetide is not approved for any indication and is best understood today as an investigational, microtubule-stabilizing neuroprotective peptide with a cautionary efficacy record. Also known as: NAP, NAPVSIPQ, AL-108, AL-208, CP201 ## Regulatory Status Not FDA-approved — investigational; orphan-drug status for ADNP syndrome Davunetide has no marketing approval for any indication. Its pivotal phase 2/3 trial in progressive supranuclear palsy (2014) was negative. As CP201 (intranasal davunetide) it holds U.S. FDA orphan-drug and rare-pediatric-disease designations and EMA orphan-drug status for ADNP syndrome, with a pediatric phase 3 program initiated in late 2024. It is not on the FDA 503A bulk-substances list; any other human use is investigational and unapproved. Effective: June 2026 View FDA Source (https://www.alzforum.org/therapeutics/davunetide) ## Why Researchers Study It Davunetide is one of the few clinically tested peptides that acts directly on the neuronal cytoskeleton, stabilizing microtubules and lowering tau hyperphosphorylation rather than modulating neurotransmitters. That places it at the center of tauopathy research and offers a mechanistic probe for how microtubule integrity relates to neurodegeneration. Its instructive failure in progressive supranuclear palsy, combined with its renewed, narrowly targeted development for the genetic disorder ADNP syndrome, makes it a case study in translating cytoskeletal neuroprotection from animal models to defined patient populations. ## Proposed Mechanisms - Derived from activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), which glia release in response to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) - Promotes microtubule assembly and stability, partly via interaction with the microtubule end-binding proteins EB1 and EB3 - Reduces hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein, protecting against tauopathy in preclinical models - Penetrates the cell nucleus and exerts pleiotropic effects on gene expression and cytoskeletal repair - Shows preferential interaction with dynamic 3-repeat tau, proposed to explain differential protection across tauopathies - Formulated for intranasal delivery to reach the central nervous system ## Evidence Snapshot Low Evidence Low Medium High | Study Type | Model | Outcome | Link | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | RCT (human, phase 2/3) | Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) — 313 patients, intranasal 30 mg twice daily, 52 weeks | Negative: davunetide did not slow progression on either primary endpoint (PSPRS, SEADL). Lancet Neurology 2014 | Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4129545/ | | Clinical (human, exploratory) | Amnestic mild cognitive impairment and schizophrenia (earlier AL-108/davunetide studies) | Reported short-term memory and functional signals; intranasal davunetide well tolerated but efficacy not established | Source: https://www.alzforum.org/therapeutics/davunetide | | Preclinical (cell / animal) | Tau and microtubule models | NAP stabilizes microtubules via the tubulin pool and reduces tau hyperphosphorylation; neurotrophic and neuroprotective activity | Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3522725/ | | Preclinical (mechanism, 2023) | Cellular localization studies | Davunetide penetrates cell nuclei, helping explain its pleiotropic neuroprotective mechanisms | Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/12/18/2251 | | Clinical program (ongoing, pediatric) | ADNP syndrome (Helsmoortel-Van der Aa) — CP201 intranasal, phase 3 begun late 2024 | Investigational; FDA orphan-drug and rare-pediatric-disease designations, EMA orphan status. No approval | Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7732499/ | ## Commonly Discussed Benefits Cognition: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/cognition Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection Researching Davunetide? Track it, set reminders, and keep notes in the free app. Track in App (https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=davunetide) ## Safety & Cautions - The pivotal phase 2/3 trial in progressive supranuclear palsy (2014) was negative on both primary endpoints - Human cognitive benefit remains unproven; earlier positive signals were exploratory and not confirmed - Not FDA-approved for any condition — investigational only - Active development is narrowly focused on the rare genetic disorder ADNP syndrome (CP201, pediatric) - Long-term safety in healthy adults is not established; this is a research compound - Some vendors market it as a research chemical outside any approved or studied indication ## Comparisons See how Davunetide compares to related peptides: Davunetide vs Cerebrolysin: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/davunetide-vs-cerebrolysin Davunetide vs Dihexa: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/davunetide-vs-dihexa Davunetide vs P21: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/davunetide-vs-p21 Davunetide vs Semax: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/davunetide-vs-semax Davunetide vs Trofinetide: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/davunetide-vs-trofinetide Davunetide vs Trontinemab: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/davunetide-vs-trontinemab Davunetide vs VIP: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/davunetide-vs-vip ## Calculator Tools Use our research tools to explore dosing and reconstitution data: Reconstitution Calculator: https://peptrackerpro.com/calculators ## Citations 1. [1] Boxer AL et al. — Davunetide in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2014 PubMed (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4129545/) 2. [2] Davunetide — therapeutic profile and trial history. ALZFORUM PubMed (https://www.alzforum.org/therapeutics/davunetide) 3. [3] Oz S et al. — The ADNP-derived peptide NAP modulates the tubulin pool. PMC 2012 PubMed (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3522725/) 4. [4] Gozes I et al. — NAP (Davunetide) penetrates cell nuclei, explaining pleiotropic mechanisms. Cells 2023 PubMed (https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/12/18/2251) 5. [5] Gozes I. — The ADNP Syndrome and CP201 (NAP): Potential and Hope. Front Neurol / PMC 2020 PubMed (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7732499/) 6. [6] Intranasal NAP (Davunetide): Neuroprotection and circadian rhythmicity. Adv Drug Deliv Rev / ScienceDirect 2025 PubMed (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169409X25000584) ### Keep researching in the app - Log Davunetide to your private tracker - Set a dosing reminder - Compare it side-by-side with your stack Open PepTracker Pro Free: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=davunetide Browse more peptides: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides ## Related Peptides ### Cerebrolysin Medium Evidence A porcine brain-derived peptide mixture approved in some countries for stroke recovery and neurodegenerative conditions. Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection Cognition: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/cognition Recovery: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/recovery View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/cerebrolysin \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=cerebrolysin Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=cerebrolysin ### Dihexa Low Evidence A hexapeptide analog studied for cognitive enhancement via hepatocyte growth factor pathway activation. Cognition: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/cognition Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection Anti-Aging: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/anti-aging View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/dihexa \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=dihexa Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=dihexa ### P21 Medium Evidence An 11-amino-acid CNTF-derived peptide studied for its ability to upregulate BDNF expression and promote neurogenesis in cognitive decline models. View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/p21 \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=p21 Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=p21 ### Semax Medium Evidence A synthetic peptide derived from ACTH, studied for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects. Cognition: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/cognition Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection Mood: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/mood Recovery: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/recovery View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/semax \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=semax Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=semax ### Trofinetide High Evidence A twice-daily oral peptide analog of the IGF-1 tripeptide glycine-proline-glutamate (GPE) that is the first and only medicine approved to treat Rett syndrome. Marketed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals as Daybue, trofinetide does not correct the underlying MECP2 mutation; instead it works on the downstream consequences - it is thought to restore synaptic signaling, dampen neuroinflammation, and normalize overactive microglia and astrocytes, improving neurobehavioral symptoms. It won FDA approval in March 2023 for adults and children 2 years and older. In late 2025 the FDA cleared a dye- and preservative-free powder formulation (Daybue STIX, broadly available in April 2026), and in June 2026 the EMA's CHMP adopted a positive opinion recommending European authorization. Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/trofinetide \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=trofinetide Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=trofinetide ### Trontinemab Medium Evidence An investigational, brain-penetrant anti-amyloid antibody from Roche/Genentech that uses the proprietary 'Brainshuttle' transferrin-receptor delivery system to reach the brain far more efficiently than conventional antibodies. Trontinemab (development codes RG6102 / RO7126209) is a 2+1 bispecific molecule: it fuses the amyloid-beta-clearing antibody gantenerumab to a fragment that grabs transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) on blood-brain-barrier cells, hitching a ride into the brain via the same receptor-mediated transport that carries iron. That shuttle lets a low intravenous dose clear amyloid plaques rapidly and deeply while triggering strikingly little of the brain swelling and micro-bleeding (ARIA) that limits approved anti-amyloid drugs. In the Phase Ib/IIa Brainshuttle AD study (NCT04639050), the 3.6 mg/kg dose removed roughly 107 centiloids of amyloid after 28 weeks, driving about 91-92% of participants below the amyloid-positivity threshold (24 centiloids) - with ARIA-E seen in fewer than 5% of participants, well below the ~13% reported for lecanemab and ~24% for donanemab. On the strength of those data, Roche launched two identical pivotal Phase 3 trials - TRONTIER 1 and TRONTIER 2 - in early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (about 1,600 patients across 18 countries, begun in 2025), and at the 2026 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in London it unveiled PrevenTRON, a Phase 3 prevention trial in 1,600 cognitively unimpaired people at high risk (elevated plasma p-tau217). Trontinemab is a prescription-stage investigational biologic - it is not approved anywhere and is not a supplement or research chemical. View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/trontinemab \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=trontinemab Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=trontinemab ### VIP Medium Evidence A neuropeptide with broad neuroimmune functions, studied for inflammatory conditions and nerve repair. Nerve Repair: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/nerve-repair Inflammation: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/inflammation Immune Support: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/immune-support Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/vip \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=vip Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=vip ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "PepTracker Pro", "url": "https://peptrackerpro.com", "logo": "https://peptrackerpro.com/favicon.png", "description": "Evidence-based educational resource dedicated to improving peptide research literacy.", "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "email": "hello@peptrackerpro.com", "contactType": "customer support" }, "sameAs": [] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "MedicalWebPage", "name": "Davunetide", "description": "An eight-amino-acid ADNP-derived peptide studied for microtubule stabilization, tau-related neuroprotection, and rare ADNP syndrome.", "url": "https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/davunetide", "lastReviewed": "2026-06-22", "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "PepTracker Pro Research Team", "url": "https://peptrackerpro.com" }, "isPartOf": { "@type": "WebSite", "name": "PepTracker Pro", "url": "https://peptrackerpro.com" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://peptrackerpro.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Peptides", "item": "https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Davunetide", "item": "https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/davunetide" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "People researching tau-targeting and microtubule-stabilizing peptides?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Davunetide is a research peptide studied in preclinical models. 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