On September 15, 2023, groundbreaking data from a phase 2b/3 clinical trial revealed that the
investigational medication blarcamesine, developed by Anavex Life Sciences,
significantly reduces amyloid-ß biomarkers in patients with early Alzheimer’s
disease. The findings were made public by Anavex Life Sciences, highlighting the potential of blarcamesine to alter the course of this
debilitating condition.
The clinical trial was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving
508 participants across five countries. Patients were given blarcamesine or a placebo
orally for 48 weeks. Notably, those treated with blarcamesine exhibited a
significant reduction in amyloid-ß levels in plasma and a decrease in
pathological brain atrophy as observed in MRI scans.
Dr. Marwan Noel Sabbagh, a leading expert in neurology, expressed optimism regarding
blarcamesine’s potential. “This small oral molecule stands out due to its ease
of administration and excellent safety profile,” Sabbagh stated. Indeed, the
treatment’s advantages go beyond convenience; it demonstrated robust clinical
efficacy in cognitive and functional assessments.
The study’s primary endpoints included the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive
(ADAS-Cog) and Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living
(ADCS-ADL) subscales. Results showed a significant improvement in cognitive and
functional abilities among those who received blarcamesine compared to the placebo group.
Adverse events in the trial were generally mild to moderate, with dizziness being the most
common. Importantly, the incidence of dizziness decreased during the
maintenance phase of treatment, further emphasizing the drug’s favorable safety profile.
Christopher U Missling, PhD, CEO of Anavex Life Sciences,
expressed gratitude to all participants and researchers involved in the study.
“Our commitment to advancing science to develop new treatments for Alzheimer’s
is unwavering,” Missling said. The promising results for blarcamesine offer a
beacon of hope for millions affected by Alzheimer’s disease worldwide.
The detailed findings of the study underscore the potential of Anavex’s investigational therapy to significantly impact the landscape of
Alzheimer’s treatment, marking a significant milestone for both the company and
the broader medical community.
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More about Anavex on https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/AVXL:US