CONFERENCE COVERAGE SERIES
Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD) 2020 (Virtual Meeting)
Boston, Massachusetts
04 – 07 November 2020
In the age of COVID-19, this year’s CTAD was a virtual one. As an FDA advisory committee picked apart aducanumab’s case for approval elsewhere, presentations at CTAD hoisted another therapeutic—BAN2401—into the spotlight. The protofibril-trained antibody continued to beat back amyloid in extension studies, and forged ahead into Phase 3. Also at CTAD, scientists took stock of clinical studies affected by the pandemic, and presented rigorous validations of smartphone-based cognitive tests. As the pandemic rages on, the field is trying to adapt and move forward in evaluating new treatments for AD.
BANish Aβ? BAN2401 Antibody Makes Its Move in Phase 3 Program
At CTAD, a Phase 2 open-label extension of this anti- Aβ protofibril antibody posted data as expected, and new Phase 3 trials for people with early and preclinical Alzheimer’s were described.
BAN2401 Forges AHEAD into Phase 3, Preclinical AD
The anti-Aβ biologic will be put to the test in two stages of preclinical Alzheimer’s, designated by amyloid load. The long-dormant “est” PET tracer, NAV4694, is on board to make sensitive measurements.
TRC-PAD Funnel Finally Touches Down
After years of building an online registry, designing selection algorithms, and getting sites up and running, COVID-19 nearly derailed this trial-ready cohort once again. Now, the first participants have reached the final queue.
Learning Troubles Spied by Smartphone Track with Biomarkers
Remote assessments on a smartphone closely matched tests taken in the clinic. They also may detect slip-ups in learning—an earlier cognitive deficit that arises in preclinical AD.
In Phase 2 Trial, Neflamapimod Aids Cognition in Lewy Body Dementia
After missing primary endpoints in Alzheimer’s trials, this p38 MAPKa inhibitor gained some traction in a test in people with DLB.