Several years ago, Janssen, part of Johnson & Johnson, began the study of their investigational drug, a BACE inhibitor, for late-onset preclinical stage Alzheimer’s disease.
However, earlier today, the company released a statement announcing the end of the study due to the observation of serious liver enzymes in some of the study participants who received the BACE inhibitor, atabecestat. Following this discovery, Janssen evaluated liver safety data from their study, and concluded that the benefit-risk ratio is no longer “favorable” to continue the study.
Janssen also stated, “All participants in both studies will be offered safety and efficacy evaluations. We are updating the study protocol for longer-term follow up of participants who received atabecestat after they discontinue treatment.”
While this particular Alzheimer’s study has been abandoned—a move that has become somewhat of a trend in the industry lately—Janssen concluded their statement by saying, “Janssen continues to maintain a strong commitment to discovering and developing new treatments for this devastating disease.”
More information about the studies can be found here and here.
(Source: Janssen)
Filed Under: Drug Discovery
