UK Edition
Alzheimer's breakthrough as scientists find first drug to slow down the disease
A drug that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease has finally been found, scientists have announced.
Researchers at the pharmaceutical company Biogen released the results of a final phase trial in 3,000 people which showed that the drug aducanumab can reduce ‘decline in function’ by 40 percent compared to placebo, over 18 months.
Participants also reported significant improvements in memory and the ability to carry out everyday tasks, such as dressing and eating.
Hopes that aducanumab could be helpful for dementia were dashed in March when the company announced it was stopping trials after seeing no beneficial results.
But after reanalysing the results they realised that those on the higher dose for longer had shown marked improvements.
Dementia charities said it was now crucial for the drug to be approved so that it could start helping people slow down the devastating decline of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Dr Carol Routledge, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “The positive news is that, given the long wait for a disease-modifying drug for Alzheimer’s, aducanumab shows a clear effect on key hallmarks of the disease.
“The additional data provides an explanation for why the two phase III trials may have showed such different top-line results, suggesting people benefitted more when on a higher dose for a longer period of time.”
Experts said regulators now had a ‘critical decision to make’ in deciding whether to licence the drug.
“We are now in unchartered territory for an Alzheimer’s drug, and there will be huge anticipation,” added Dr Routledge.
Around 850,000 people suffer from dementia in Britain and the majority have Alzheimer’s disease, but there is currently no drug that can prevent, slow down or reverse the impact.
The Emerge trial took place over 18 months, and hopes that the drug could be beneficial resurfaced last month when Biogen announced surprise profits. The treatment works by lowering levels of amyloid protein in the brain, which clumps together and prevents brain cells from communicating.
The new results were announced at the CTAD (Clinical Trials on Dementica Disease) annual conference in San Diego, California.
Prof Clive Ballard, Professor of Age-Related Diseases at the University of Exeter Medical School, said: "Maintaining function is incredibly important in people with mild-to-moderate dementia.
“It helps people to continue performing the everyday tasks that mean they can live independently, so a 40 per cent reduction in decline is an excellent result that could have a really significant benefit on the lives of people with dementia and their families.”
The company is due to submit the drug to regulators, and the FDA and European Medical Agency are expected to make a decision next year.
Commenting on the findings Dr James Pickett, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Society said: “With very few other treatment options for Alzheimer’s people may ask ‘What is there to be lost?’ in making this drug available now, but it’s crucial we fully understand the impact and safety of this drug.
“We await the outcomes of discussions with the FDA in USA and European Medical Agency next year.”