LY2886721 is a potent and selective inhibitor of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), which plays a key role in the production of amyloid-beta peptides. These peptides are central to the formation of amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients. By inhibiting BACE1, LY2886721 reduces the generation of amyloid-beta, making it a candidate for disease-modifying therapy in early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

The compound was investigated in clinical trials to evaluate its safety, pharmacokinetics, and ability to lower amyloid-beta levels in cerebrospinal fluid. Although development was discontinued due to safety concerns observed in later stages, LY2886721 contributed valuable data on BACE1 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy. It helped validate BACE1 as a pharmacological target and informed the design of future Alzheimer’s treatments aimed at reducing amyloid burden in the brain.