Bayer Advances on Alzheimer’s Plan

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neuro-degenerative disease that affects people over the age of 60. The onset of the disease is often so gradual and the early signs are so mild that they are often mistaken as common traits of ageing. 

Early detection of the disease is significant as many of the available treatment options are most effective in the early stages. However, there is no such detection test available currently although some are under trial. 

The situation may change completely if Bayer (BAYRY - Analyst Report) accomplishes its objective. The company recently decided to go ahead with the development of florbetaben to support the proper diagnosis of AD. 

At the recently held 95th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), Bayer announced the enrollment of the first patient in a phase III clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of its Alzheimer's marker florbetaben in the detection of the disease. The trial will include patients with and without AD. 

Earlier, in the phase II trial, florbetaben had demonstrated its potential to successfully diagnose the disease in 80% of the cases. The pivotal phase III trial is expected to be conducted with approximately 400 patients. 

The study will determine the effectiveness of the marker in highlighting beta-amyloid plaques – associated with Alzheimer's – in patients' brains under a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. While the primary completion of the study is expected by 2011, the study is not anticipated to be completed before 2014. 

We note that the progress of Bayer on successful completion will change the situation of AD patients for the better. As per estimates, in 2006, more than 26 million people worldwide were suffering from the disease which could reach more than 100 million by 2050. 

At present there is no cure for the disease, but a few treatment options are available. These include Eisai and Pfizer's (PFE - Analyst Report) Aricept, Exelon from Novartis (NVS - Snapshot Report), Ebixa from Lundbeck and Reminyl from Shire (SHPGY - Snapshot Report).

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