Biogen reported mixed results Thursday from a mid-stage clinical trial investigating a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease that targets the protein tau that, like the better known amyloid, is toxic to neurons and is believed to play a role in the cognitive decline of patients with the disease.
In the Phase 2 study, the Biogen drug, called diranersen, or BIIB080, reduced levels of tau in the spinal fluid and brains of patients with early stage Alzheimer’s. Those tau reductions also correlated to a slowing of cognitive decline, the company said.
Biogen investigated three escalating dosing regimens in its study, with the lowest dose showing the best results. For that reason, the study failed to achieve its primary efficacy goal, which was a dose response.
