Eisai Hopes To Resume Trials On New Alzheimer's Drug (Japan)
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Eisai reports it will resume clinical trials this fiscal year on E2012, the planned-for successor to its Alzheimer's drug Aricept. Eisai began phase I trials on E2012 in 2006 in the U.S., but suspended the trials earlier this year after concomitant trials in rats indicated that E2012 could cause clouding of the eyes. The drug firm has since done experiments with rats and discovered that the eye problem developed because E2012 caused blood cholesterol levels to fall too far. The tests also found that using E2012 in a lower dose kept the blood cholesterol levels from declining too much. Eisai has talked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and hopes to resume clinical trials before the end of the current fiscal year after finding a blood marker that can be used to monitor safety. (Click here for more - May Require Paid Subscription