Novartis, Banner partner on Alzheimer's trial
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) partnered with not-for-profit Banner Alzheimer's Institute (BAI) (Phoenix, Ariz.) to evaluate two of the pharma's compounds in cognitively healthy adults at risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease because they have two genetic copies of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 allele. The five-year placebo-controlled trial, which will enroll more than 1,300 adults ages 60-75, will begin enrolling patients in 2H15 to evaluate Novartis' CAD106, a vaccine containing beta amyloid 1-6 peptide coupled to the virus-like particle Qb, which is in Phase II testing.
About a year later, the partners will begin evaluating an undisclosed oral beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor, which is in preclinical testing. The trial, which will not evaluate the treatments in combination, aims to establish whether either treatment will prevent or delay the loss of memory and other cognitive ability. BAI said the majority of the cost of the trial will be covered by Novartis. The partners declined to disclose financial terms of the deal. Novartis has rights to CAD106 from Cytos Biotechnology AG (SIX:CYTN). ...