Biogen (BIIB) today reported new Phase 1B results for aducanumab in treating patients with Alzheimer's. These results come from the trial known as the “PRIME” trial which split patients into two different dose groups. One group took different dosages of aducanumab, and the other group were given a placebo..
These results were presented today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2015 — AAIC — in Washington D.C. One of the higher doses 6 mg/kg group at week 54 saw a reduction of beta amyloid plaques in a dose dependent manner, but did not see a statistically significant improvement in slowing cognitive decline.
Now Biogen will have to see if it can up the dose to 10 mg/kg, which showed the most promise in the study, but the drug may run into additional possible safety issues. That is because some patients in the 6 mg/kg group saw some brain swelling, which could possibly increase as the dosage is increased. Therefore investors are disappointed with these results and thus shares of Biogen are now trading down about 3% on the day.
In similar news today Eli Lilly (LLY) reported results from its phase 3 trial on patients with Alzheimer's. Eli Lilly used its drug, known as Solanezumab, to treat these patients.. The company ran two phase 3 trials using its drug to determine if it could help these patients reduce their cognitive decline.
Eli Lilly stated that Alzheimer's patients who were on Solanezumab for a longer period of time compared to placebo saw an improvement in inhibiting cognitive decline. But as with Biogen, Eli Lilly still has a long way to go. Investors once again were not too pleased with these Alzheimer's results. Shares dipped briefly on the news
Alzheimer's disease biotech has seen a lot of failures over the course of many years. Biogen and Eli Lilly are pushing on, to see if they can, if not find a cure, at least slow down the cognitive decline that occurs in these patients. Alzheimer's affects approximately 5 million Americans, and a successful treatment could potentially make $20 billion per year.
