Science Translational Medicine journal published the findings of Merck Company with an experimental drug against Alzheimer that reduces up to 90% of the amount of beta-amyloid protein in the brain without causing significant side effects.
The beta-amyloid protein is involved in the origin and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, so an effective drug against it could slow cognitive decline of the patients.
So far the results have been positive, so Merck has initiated two Phase 3 studies, the last step before applying for commercialization, to evaluate if the product slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the studies is being conducted on 1,500 people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but show no symptoms yet, while the other is being conducted on 2,000 people who already have symptoms but still maintain a good level of autonomy. The final results are expected by 2019 and, if positive, the drug could be approved by 2020.
According to Alberto Lleó, head of the memory unit of Hospital de Sant Pau,
of all the drugs being studied against beta-amyloids, this is the one in late-development phases.”