Tramiprosate is a glycosaminoglycan mimetic designed to interfere with the actions of beta-amyloid peptides (Abeta) early in the cascade of amyloidogenic events. It is a patented variant of the amino acid taurine, which is reported to inhibit the interaction of Abeta with endogenous glycosaminoglycans and thereby prevent beta-sheet formation. Preclinical data have shown that tramiprosate reduces brain and plasma levels of Abeta, prevents fibril formation and exerts cytoprotective effects in the brain. The pharmacological effects have also been demonstrated in clinical trials of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Promising findings for the efficacy of tramiprosate, indicated by improvement or stabilization of cognitive function, have been shown in phase II clinical trials and open-label extensions of these studies. Furthermore, tramiprosate appears to be well tolerated with no reports of safety concerns. Tramiprosate is in phase III clinical trial for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.