CHICAGO, July 16 (Reuters) – An experimental Alzheimer’s disease drug being developed by Acumen Pharmaceuticals (ABOS.O) targeting a new form of the toxic amyloid beta protein in the brain has passed an early safety test and will move into a larger trial, the company announced Sunday.
The drug, ACI193, was well tolerated in the first trial testing it in humans, the company said. The results of the randomized, placebo-controlled study of 62 patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam.
Acumen’s drug targets and binds to amyloid beta-oligimers, a toxic, soluble version of the amyloid protein that forms brain plaques associated with memory disease, said Dr. Eric Siemers, Acumen’s chief medical officer. , in an interview.
The target is similar to that of Biogen (BIIB.O) and that of Eisai (4523.T) Recently approved Leqembi, which strikes another soluble and toxic form of the protein in the brain. Leqembi got US standard approval earlier this month after showing it can clear amyloid plaques and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in early-stage patients.
In the Acumen trial, 10.4% of treated participants (5 people) developed a brain swelling condition known as ARIA-E associated with amyloid-targeting treatments. Of these, only one had symptoms, which disappeared after discontinuation of the drug.
Another 8.3% developed bleeding in the brain associated with the treatment, known as ARIA-H.
“Because this antibody targets oligomers but is not intended to target plaque, we weren’t sure whether or not we would get an ARIA,” Siemers said, adding that cases of ARIA may suggest the drug has a effect.
People who received higher doses of the drug also showed reductions in amyloid plaque after 6 to 12 weeks, the company said. Acumen said the study suggests the drug can be given as a monthly intravenous infusion.
Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Bill Berkrot
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