Bayer Makes Progress on Alzheimer’s Disease

By: RJ Camposagrado ... Click on author's name for more of their articles

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 premature signs are so mild that they are often misguided as familiar traits of ageing.

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

The situation may transform completely if Bayer (BAYRY) accomplishes its objective. The Bayer company recently decided to go ahead with the development of florbetaben to support the appropriate diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.

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 Disease marker florbetaben in the detection of the disease. The trial will include patients with and without Alzheimer's Disease.

Earlier, in the phase II trial, florbetaben had demonstrated its capability to productively 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 establish the effectiveness of the marker in highlighting beta-amyloid plaques – associated with Alzheimer's Disease – in patients' brains under a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. While the major 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 Alzheimer's disease, but a few treatment options are available. These include Eisai and Pfizer's (PFE) Aricept, Exelon from Novartis (NVS), Ebixa from Lundbeck and Reminyl from Shire (SHPGY).

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: Bayer Advances on Alzheimer’s Plan

Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, RJ Camposagrado

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