Cortexyme Inc., a stealthy South San Francisco-based biotech exploring developing therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other degenerative disorders, is moving ahead with development of a bacterial protease inhibitor. The candidate, COR-388, targets a pathogen identified in the brain tissue and cerebral spinal fluid of patients with AD. It started the first of two phase I studies in January. Both trials, a single ascending dose and a multiple ascending dose in healthy elderly participants, will finish by May. Meanwhile, it's moving toward publication of a manuscript detailing its approach.