Rabat – Drugmakers Eisai and Biogen reported that a new Alzheimer’s therapy could slow the disease’s progress by 27% over 18 months when compared to a placebo.
The breakthrough is the first major one in three decades of Alzheimer’s research, according to researchers and pharmaceutical executives.
The findings also validate theories that clearing clumps of amyloid proteins in the brains of patients could slow or halt the disease, strengthening optimism in future research into the disease.
If the drugmakers can get accelerated approval for the treatment, they said they would apply for full regulatory approval in the US.
To date, two deaths have been recorded in relation to the treatment, according to Science, but industry analysts don’t expect that alone to prevent approval in the US, as Eisai explained that all available information does not indicate an overall increased risk of death due to the drug.
Until now, no treatment had managed to alter Alzheimer’s or even slow it in any way. With dementia and Alzheimer’s being the number one cause of death in the UK, and the seventh worldwide, any treatment that is effective in halting or slowing it could be historic.
It will remain to be seen how the drug is received and how it will be adopted as Eisai and Biogen aim to get it approved.
