Alzheimer's drug

.
Alzheimer's Donation
Donate Online Now
.
U.S. firm Samaritan said Thursday it is cleared to begin testing its novel plaque-clearing Alzheimer's drug. The company added that the Food and Drug Administration has requested some additional information of the safety of the drug, Caprospinol, before it can launch its proposed phase 1 study. Samaritan said its potential treatment has the potential to clear beta-amyloid plaques from the brain, the condition believed to be the cause of Alzheimer's. "The filing of this IND speaks to the scientific merit of Caprospinol and the research collaboration we have with Georgetown University," said Samaritan CEO Janet Greeson. "This is the first IND as a result of our collaboration with Georgetown University and we have high hopes Caprospinol will make a significant contribution to the treatment of suffering Alzheimer patients."

AC Immune Ltd. said it entered into a $300 million licensing agreement with Genentech Inc. for the development of antibodies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other illnesses. The Swiss biotech firm will give an exclusive global license to Genentech for the development of antibodies that target a plaque-forming protein known as beta-amyloid, which is believed to be an important target for Alzheimer's disease drugs. The company did not disclose specific details of the financial arrangements, but said Genentech will make an upfront and milestone payments that could total $300 million. Genentech (NYSE: DNA), which is based in South San Fancisco and has a production facility in Vacville, will also provide funding for a multiyear collaborative research program and will cover all development and clinical costs of the lead antibody and subsequent antibody candidates. Upon commercialization of a product, Genentech will pay AC Immune royalties on net sales of AC Immune's antibodies in the field of Alzheimer's or other human applications.