Avagacestat (formerly known as BMS708163) is a potent, selective, orally bioactive γ -secretase inhibitor of Aβ40 and Aβ42 with potential anti-AD (Alzheimer's disease) activity. It inhibits Aβ40 and Aβ42 with IC50 of 0.3 nM and 0.27 nM, it demonstrated a 193-fold selectivity against Notch. Avagacestat is designed for selective inhibition of Aβ synthesis currently in development for the treatment of mild to moderate and predementia AD. Avagacestat produced up to 190-fold greater selectivity for Aβ synthesis than Notch processing in preclinical studies and may therefore produce less toxic adverse events than other less selective compounds.