Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Baxter's Alzheimer's disease drug fails in late-stage trial



JULIE STEENHUYSEN
In a blow for Alzheimer's patients, Baxter International Inc said it will scrap late-stage trials of its antibody treatment for the disease after the drug failed to improve cognitive decline and functional ability in patients.

Baxter's treatment, known as Gammagard, did show a benefit in some patients with moderate disease and in those who are carriers of a gene known as ApoE4 that raises the risk of Alzheimer's. The company said it will continue to analyse results in these populations, but more trials would be needed to support the drug's approval.

An earlier study of the treatment released last summer showed the drug help stabilise the disease in four patients for at least three years, raising hope that the drug from Baxter International Inc will prove effective in larger trials. Most Alzheimer's patients typically decline over three to six months.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8646139/?

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