Roche to begin phase III trials for Alzheimer’s treatment crenezumab

Roche is set to begin phase III trials for its Alzheimer's disease drug crenezumab through its Genentech subsidiary.

The pharmaceutical firm will be recruiting 750 patients with prodromal or mild Alzheimer's for the trial, as it strives to prove that the anti-Abeta antibody is effective in controlling some of the symptoms associated with the degenerative disease.

Results of a phase II trial involving crenezumab were not in line with Roche's expectations, but the company remains hopeful that phase III trial data – which is expected to be ready to present in 2020 – will yield a better outcome proving the treatment's effectiveness as an Alzheimer's disease therapy.

Professor Andrea Pfeifer, chief executive of AC Immune, the company that initially discovered the drug, commented: "We remain confident about the potential of crenezumab given it is distinct from other beta amyloid antibodies, predominantly blocking oligomers in the brain and has a clinical development that is using higher dosing and targeting earlier stages of Alzheimer's."

With over 20 years of experience within the pharmaceutical market, we at Zenopa have the knowledge, skills and expertise to help find the right job for you. To find out more about the current pharmaceutical roles we have available, you can search for the latest job roles, register your details, or contact the team today.

Image: shironosov via iStock