Shares inthe Athlone-based Elan Corporation increased by four per cent today to €71.50 after the company announced it was to begin phase 2 of trials on a vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease.
The drug AN-1792, which is also known as AIP-011, is the first in a series being developed between Elan and American Home Product's Pharmaceutical division Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories.
The trial is due to begin towards the end of the year and is expected to continue for two years. Elan and AHP plan to begin the Phase 2A clinical study with around 375 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease at sites in the US and Europe.
Phase 1 studies of AN-1792, which was given to over 100 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's, showed a good tolerance and response to the drug.
Two years ago researchers at Elan reported that a form of the peptide that triggers the deposition of amyloid plaque that overwhelms the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease may someday be used as a treatment for disease and possibly as a vaccine to prevent it.