José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca announced that they are stopping two global Phase 3 trials of lanabecestat, an amyloid beta-targeting treatment candidate for Alzheimer’s, because of an apparent lack of benefit. Safety was not of concern in either trial. The decision follows recommendations by an independent data monitoring…

Treatment with the investigational compound elenbecestat reduced brain amyloid beta levels and was safe and well-tolerated, according to Phase 2 clinical trial results. The presence of amyloid beta plaques is a major characteristic of the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Amyloid beta is produced through the work of a key…

Janssen pulled the plug on a Phase 2b/3 trial and a Phase 2 safety study of its Alzheimer’s disease experimental therapy atabecestat due to toxicity issues as a result of serious elevations in liver enzymes seen in some study participants. Atabecestat is a BACE inhibitor, intended to…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tonix Pharmaceuticals’ investigational new drug (IND) application to support the start of a Phase 2 trial of TNX-102 SL in Alzheimer’s patients with agitation. In December 2016, the treatment candidate was granted breakthrough therapy status — a process designated…

A form of vitamin B3 was found to prevent brain damage and improve memory and physical function in a new mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting a possible new target for treatment. Mice given ChromaDex’s Niagen (nicotinamide riboside, or NR) — a unique member of the vitamin B3 family…

Roche soon will start two Phase 3 trials testing gantenerumab, its amyloid-targeting treatment candidate, in prodromal, or early, Alzheimer’s patients. Each plans to enroll 750 people, ages 50 to 90, and will judge gantenerumab’s effectiveness and potential clinical benefit by looking at changes in dementia and amyloid plaque load…

The safety and efficacy of Roche’s gantenerumab, a treatment candidate for Alzheimer’s, will be tested in two global Phase 3 clinical trials in patients with early to mild forms of the disease. The studies follow a long research process that defined the therapy’s optimal dose. The GRADUATE1 (NCT03444870) and GRADUATE2…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has revised clinical trial guidelines for Alzheimer’s therapies to help researchers come up with trial objectives that are better suited to patients in the early stages of the disease. European regulators have also revised their Alzheimer’s trial guidelines. The early-stage patients that the new…

Results from a Phase 2 clinical trial show that Nuplazid (pimavanserin) can safely treat, but possibly in the short-term only, symptoms of psychosis in Alzheimer’s patients, a study looking at data from that U.K. trial reports. An accompanying commentary, however, raised concerns about the clinical meaningfulness of these results and findings…

In another blow to hopes for an effective Alzheimer’s treatment, Merck announced that it is stopping its Phase 3 clinical study testing verubecestat (MK-8931) in patients with early stage disease. No specific reason was given, but lack of effectiveness in data compiled to date is a likely cause. The decision follows a…