The US firm’s nasal gel formulation of the anticholinergic compound has succeeded in a second Phase III trial, bringing Defender closer to entering a market dominated by Bayer’s Transderm Scop.

An unblinded interim efficacy analysis by a DMC recommended a Phase II/III study testing fosgonimeton in Alzheimer's patients should continue.

Eisai and Biogen had double-digit stock price gains based on the positive Phase III readout for lecanemab. The good news also lifted competitors Lilly and Roche as well as earlier-stage Alzheimer’s drug developers.

Athira hoped a small Phase II study would show a benefit on working memory processing speed, but it missed its primary and all secondary endpoints, reducing confidence in the Phase III program.