Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, “Eisai”) and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB, Corporate headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, CEO: Michel Vounatsos, “Biogen”) today announced the decision to discontinue the Phase III clinical studies (MISSION AD1, AD2) on the investigational oral BACE (beta amyloid cleaving enzyme) inhibitor elenbecestat (development code: E2609) in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Sept. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Company, Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, “Eisai”) and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB, Corporate headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, CEO: Michel Vounatsos, “Biogen”) today announced the decision to discontinue the Phase III clinical studies (MISSION AD1, AD2) on the investigational oral BACE (beta amyloid cleaving enzyme) inhibitor elenbecestat (development code: E2609) in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The decision is based on the results of a safety review conducted by the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), which recommended to discontinue these trials due to unfavorable risk-benefit ratio. Detailed data of these studies will be presented at future medical meetings. Investigators are being informed of the decision and they will be contacting their study participants to discontinue the investigational treatment. Dr. Lynn Kramer, Chief Clinical Officer, Neurology Business Group, Eisai Co., Ltd., said: “We would like to thank the patients and the families, as well as medical professionals, that participated in the MISSION AD studies. Without their contributions we would not be able to advance Alzheimer’s disease research. We are very disappointed with the news, and intend to learn from these data and continue engaging with patients and investigators, to pursue the discovery of new medicines for Alzheimer’s disease.” The Phase III clinical trial program for elenbecestat (MISSION AD) consisted of two global Phase III clinical studies with identical protocols, MISSION AD1 (Study 301) and MISSION AD2 (Study 302). Both studies were multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group Phase III clinical studies designed to assess the efficacy and safety of elenbecestat for treatment in a total of about 2,100 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild AD (collectively known as early AD) with confirmed amyloid pathology in the brain. Patients were randomized to receive either 50 mg of elenbecestat or placebo daily during the treatment period of 24 months, and the primary endpoint was the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB). As part of this decision, the long-term extension of the Phase II clinical trial of elenbecestat (Study 202) will also be discontinued. This determination does not impact the program of the anti-amyloid beta (Aβ) protofibril monoclonal antibody BAN2401, and the Phase III Clarity AD trial of BAN2401 will continue. Biogen Safe Harbor Statement These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including without limitation unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data, analysis or results obtained during clinical trials; regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail or refuse to approve or may delay approval of Biogen’s drug candidates, including BAN2401; the occurrence of adverse safety events; risks of unexpected costs or delays; the risk of other unexpected hurdles; uncertainty of success in the development and potential commercialization of BAN2401 and/or other Biogen drug candidates; failure to protect and enforce Biogen’s data, intellectual property and other proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to intellectual property claims and challenges; product liability claims; and third party collaboration risks. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from Biogen’s expectations in any forward-looking statement. Investors should consider this cautionary statement, as well as the risk factors identified in Biogen’s most recent annual or quarterly report and in other reports Biogen has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on Biogen’s current beliefs and expectations and speak only as of the date of this news release. Biogen does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
Notes to Editors 2. About joint development agreement between Eisai and Biogen for Alzheimer’s disease 3. About Eisai Co., Ltd. Leveraging the experience gained from the development and marketing of Aricept®, a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, Eisai has been working to establish a social environment that involves patients in each community in cooperation with various stakeholders including the government, healthcare professionals and care workers, and is estimated to have held over ten thousand dementia awareness events worldwide. As a pioneer in the field of dementia treatment, Eisai is striving not only to develop next generation treatments but also to develop diagnosis methods and provide solutions. For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit www.eisai.co.jp. 4. About Biogen Inc. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eisai-and-biogen-to-discontinue-phase-iii-clinical-studies-of-bace-inhibitor-elenbecestat-in-early-alzheimers-disease-300917734.html SOURCE Eisai Inc. | ||||||
Company Codes: NASDAQ-NMS:BIIB |