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news.Elan Corp has reported that findings from a Phase II study which suggested Bapineuzumab reduced amyloid-beta deposits in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients as measured using a neuroimaging technique known as [11C]PiB PET, were published in the online edition of Lancet Neurology.
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Bapineuzumab is a compound under development by Pfizer and Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary in which Elan holds a minority equity interest.
Elan said that the findings of the study further suggest that it may be possible to assess and monitor the effects of potential therapeutic agents on amyloid-beta deposits in patients with Alzheimer’s disease using this neuroimaging technique.
Reportedly, the patients in the study were randomised to either Bapineuzumab treatment or placebo groups. Estimated mean [11C]PiB retention ratio change from baseline to week 78 was -0.09 in the bapineuzumab group and +0.15 in the placebo group. The estimated mean difference in [11C]PiB retention ratio change from baseline to week 78 between the bapineuzumab group and the placebo group was -0.24. Differences between the bapineuzumab group and the placebo group in the individual regions of interest were similar to the overall mean difference.
Menghis Bairu, chief medical officer for Elan, said: “We are encouraged by the findings of this study. The potential to use [11C]PiB PET imaging to monitor the effectiveness of potential therapeutics on amyloid beta load during treatment could play a major role in Alzheimer’s research and future clinical trial designs.”