Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca enrol first patient in Phase II/III Alzheimer's therapy trial

US drug major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) and AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) have enrolled the first patient into AMARANTH, a Phase II/III study of an oral beta secretase cleaving enzyme inhibitor being developed to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Phase I studies showed AZD3293, also known as LY3314814, reduced levels of amyloid-beta in the cerebro-spinal fluid of Alzheimer’s patients and healthy volunteers. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaque in the brain. BACE is an enzyme associated with the development of beta-amyloid. Inhibiting BACE is expected to prevent the formation of amyloid plaque and eventually slow the progression of the disease.

Samantha Budd, vice president and head of translational science in the Neuroscience Innovative Medicines Unit at AstraZeneca, said: “There is a critical need to develop new medicines that can change the course of Alzheimer’s disease. We believe that BACE inhibitors have the potential to target one of the key drivers of this devastating disease. Together with Lilly, we have unique expertise that will allow us to evaluate the potential of AZD3293 as a treatment for Alzheimer’s patients.”