Forest Laboratories announces positive Phase III data for Alzheimer’s drug

The study evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of an innovative, proprietary, 28mg once-daily extended-release formulation of Namenda (memantine HCl) compared to placebo in outpatients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease already being treated with a cholinesterase inhibitor (donepezil, galantamine or rivastigmine).

In the study, patients treated with once-daily extended-release Namenda experienced significant improvements in cognitive performance and global clinical status compared to those receiving placebo. Patients treated with once-daily extended-release Namenda also experienced significant improvements in verbal fluency and behavioral symptoms as compared to placebo. The study also demonstrated that once-daily extended-release memantine was well tolerated.

Marco Taglietti, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Forest, said: “With this novel formulation, the efficacy and tolerability of Namenda is delivered in a more convenient, once-daily dose.”