Trial of Alzheimer’s Drug Scaled Back After Patient Deaths

A mid-stage clinical trial of an experimental Elan Corp. Plc and Transition Therapeutics Inc. drug for treating Alzheimer’s disease has been narrowed after nine patients died after they were given higher doses of the drug.

The companies have eliminated two of three doses used in the study after the patient deaths, according to an Associated Press report. Elan, an Ireland-based drug maker, and Transition Therapeutics of Toronto announced they will immediately withdraw study patients who received 1,000-milligram and 2,000-milligram doses twice daily.

However, patients who are being given a lower dose (250 milligrams) of the drug labeled ELND005 will remain in the study along with placebo groups, officials said. The trial is slated to end in April before the companies study the results and decide whether to move into late-stage testing of the proposed drug.

Researchers have not established a direct relationship between the experimental drug and the deaths of patients given higher doses of the drug. Enrollment in the trial ended in October 2008, officials said.

The experimental drug is designed to be given orally and treat mild to moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The two drug companies are jointly funding the clinical trial and will split any revenues from its sale if it is approved, according to the AP.

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