Roche's Alzheimer's Antibody Reduces Associated Biomarkers In Subset Of AD Patients, Study Shows

Experimental anti-amyloid antibodies from Eli Lilly & Co LLY and Roche Holding AG's RHHBY failed to improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a Phase 2/3 study led by Washington University School of Medicine reported last year.
Now, the study researchers say they have evidence that Roche's gantenerumab could help a subset of patients.
In trial participants with dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease (DIAD), which causes early onset of memory loss and other symptoms, Roche's drug lowered biomarkers and neurodegeneration, Washington University said in a study published in Nature Medicine.
The study did not show evidence of a cognitive benefit to people with DIAD.
Washington University has now launched an extension of the study, which will allow patients on Roche's drug to continue taking it and to have their symptoms monitored over time.
Patients in the original trial were randomized to receive either Lilly's solanezumab, Roche's drug, or a placebo and then tracked for up to seven years.
The 52 patients who took gantenerumab showed a reduction of amyloid plaques in the brain and lower amounts of another protein, tau, the researchers reported.
Even after disappointing top-line findings of the Phase 2/3 study of solanezumab and gantenerumab, Roche still did not want to give up on its anti-amyloid antibody.
But Lilly scrapped its plans to pursue a submission for solanezumab in people with dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease.
Price Action: LLY shares closed at $222.67, and RHHBF closed at $389.8 on Monday.