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On Friday (September 13), biotechnology firm Biogen and its partner Eisai announced plans to abandon two clinical trials for an Alzheimer’s treatment using the drug elenbecestat.
The decision to end the studies came after a data safety monitoring board found that the benefits of administering elenbecestat did not outweigh the risks, reports Reuters. Elenbecestat was a β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor, a drug that curtails the production of the main component of the amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer’s patients. In March, the companies ended two late-stage trials of another Alzheimer’s drug, aducanumab.
The two Phase III studies, known as MISSION AD1 and AD2, were designed to test the safety and effectiveness of elenbecestat in 2,100 patients with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease. “We are very disappointed with the news, and intend to learn from these data and continue engaging with patients and ...
