Alzheimer drug shows subtle improvements, side effects

Monday, October 8, 2012 | 6:15 p.m. CDT

BOSTON Combined results from two studies of an experimental Alzheimer's drug suggest it might modestly slow mental decline, especially in patients with mild disease.

Taken separately, the studies on the drug Eli Lilly & Co.'s solanezumab missed their main goals of significantly slowing the mind-robbing disease or improving activities of daily living. But pooled results found 34 percent less mental decline in mild Alzheimer's patients compared to those on a fake treatment for 18 months.

Doctors called the results encouraging, though probably not good enough to win approval of the drug now, without another study to confirm there is a benefit. Investors were more enthusiastic, driving Lilly's stock up about 5 percent on Monday and about 19 percent since August, when the company described the results in general terms.

Detailed results were revealed for the first time Monday at an American Neurological Association annual meeting in Boston.

"It's certainly not the home run we all wanted, but we're very encouraged by these results," said Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer's Association, which had no role in the research.

Stephen Salloway, an Alzheimer's expert at Brown University, agreed.

"It's exciting to see that there may be clinical benefit," he said, but it is modest and may not make a difference in how well patients live what matters most to them and their families.

About 35 million people worldwide have dementia, and Alzheimer's is the most common type. In the U.S., about 5 million people have Alzheimer's. Current medicines such as Aricept and Namenda just temporarily ease symptoms. There is no known cure.

Solanezumab is one of three drugs in late-stage testing that seek to alter the course of the disease. Results on one drug were disappointing, and results of the other won't be ready until early next year.

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Alzheimer drug shows subtle improvements, side effects