Elan and Wyeth Present Encouraging Results from Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Bapineuzumab

Elan Corporation, plc and Wyeth are presenting detailed results from the companies’ 18-month Phase 2 study of bapineuzumab (AAB-001) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease at the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease 2008 in Chicago, Illinois.

As previously announced, in the study, bapineuzumab appeared to have an acceptable safety profile and clinical activity in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Potential efficacy signals were seen at a range of doses without a clear dose response.

The study did not attain statistical significance on the pre-specified efficacy endpoints in the overall study population. Post-hoc analyses showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefits in important subgroups.

The data will be presented by Sid Gilman, M.D., William J. Herdman Distinguished University Professor of Neurology, Director of Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Michigan, and Chair of the independent safety monitoring committee for bapineuzumab.

“This study was limited in its size, design and goals,” said Dr. Gilman, “but if the findings seen in these post-hoc analyses are replicated in the global Phase 3 program, it would be a validation of the amyloid hypothesis and could change how physicians approach the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Elan and Wyeth believe that the safety and efficacy findings from this Phase 2 trial of bapineuzumab in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease support the design of the ongoing global Phase 3 program and plan to incorporate learnings from this study into the Phase 3 program. The companies will continue to work diligently to develop much needed new treatment options for patients and physicians.