Phytopharm, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, U.K., has entered into an agreement with the Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Aging (OPTIMA) regarding the clinical development of PYM50028, its novel oral treatment for dementias including Al­zheimer’s disease. Under the joint leadership of Professor David Smith, project leader, OPTIMA, and Professor Robin Jacoby, principal investigator, OPTIMA will enroll patients with memory impairment into the Phase II proof of principle study, which is expected to commence dosing in the fourth quarter of 2003. The study will utilize a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, and evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetic profile of PYM50028 after repeated oral administration to patients with dementia.