- Biogen is halting two global phase-three trials testing the once-promising Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab, delivering a late-stage blow to researchers searching for therapies for the incurable degenerative disease.
- In 2018, pharmaceutical companies including Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Merck halted research or development into possible Alzheimer’s and dementia therapies due to disappointing results.
March 21 (Reuters) - Biogen and partner Eisai Co Ltd are ending two late-stage trials testing an Alzheimer's drug, they said Thursday, marking the latest setback for an industry keen to develop treatments for the memory-robbing disease.
Shares in Biogen slid 25 percent to $81.60 in premarket trading.
The decision to discontinue the trials testing drug aducanumab was made after an independent data monitoring committee reported the drug was unlikely to be successful, the companies said. The recommendation was not based on safety concerns, they added.
After dozens of experimental Alzheimer's drugs have failed in the recent past, there is a desperate need for a treatment that works.
The disease is the most common form of dementia that affects nearly 50 million people worldwide and is expected to rise to more than 131 million by 2050, according to Alzheimer's Disease International.
Biogen said it would continue to develop other treatments for Alzheimer's.
"This disappointing news confirms the complexity of treating Alzheimer's disease and the need to further advance knowledge in neuroscience," Biogen Chief Executive Officer Michel Vounatsos said.
"We will continue advancing our pipeline of potential therapies in Alzheimer's disease." The companies, however, for now will also discontinue a mid-stage study and a long-term extension study of aducanumab.
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Several drugmakers have recently come up short in efforts to find an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s. Among the drugmakers still pursuing a beta amyloid-targeting compound is Roche Holding AG. Like Biogen, the Swiss company has persisted despite setbacks. After its candidate, gantenerumab, failed an earlier test four years ago, Roche decided to ratchet up the dose and try again with a pair of big late-stage trials. Results from the studies aren’t expected for about another two years.
Roche mostly abandoned a second beta amyloid compound earlier this year, halting two large studies after concluding they would fail. Roche’s partner on the second compound, Alzheimer’s specialist AC Immune SA, at one point fell more than 12 percent in premarket trading in New York.
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