— Novel, Oral, Investigational Medicine for the Treatment of Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Psychiatric Indications —
“Agitation is a common and debilitating psychiatric symptom of
Alzheimer’s disease that currently has no approved medicines, and causes
significant burden on patients and their caregivers,” commented
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-cohort, phase 1 study will investigate the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses of ALKS 7119 following oral administration in approximately 60 healthy male adults. The study will also include a battery of psychometric assessments, which are intended to provide preliminary insight into the potential human pharmacodynamic response. Results from this phase 1 study are expected in the second half of 2016.
About ALKS 7119
ALKS 7119 is a
novel chemical entity that has a multivalent mechanism of action and
acts on key receptors in the brain involved in several central nervous
system (CNS) diseases. In addition to the potential treatment of
agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, ALKS 7119 may be
investigated for the treatment of major depressive disorder and other
psychiatric conditions. ALKS 7119 is a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)
receptor antagonist and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It also binds to
other targets, which may contribute to its pharmacodynamic effects.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s
disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory
and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the
simplest tasks.1 While cognitive decline is a central feature
of the disease, psychiatric symptoms, such as agitation, are the leading
source of morbidity and caregiver burden.2 There are
currently no approved medications in the U.S. for the treatment of
Alzheimer’s agitation. Approximately 5.3 million individuals in the U.S.
had AD in 2015, and this number is expected to nearly triple by 2050.3
About
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain
statements set forth in this press release constitute “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not limited to,
statements concerning: the therapeutic value, development plans and
commercial potential of ALKS 7119. The company cautions that
forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Although the
company believes that such statements are based on reasonable
assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and
operations, the forward-looking statements are neither promises nor
guarantees and they are necessarily subject to a high degree of
uncertainty and risk. Actual performance and results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking
statements due to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and
uncertainties include, among others: whether preclinical results for
ALKS 7119 will be predictive of future clinical study results; whether
future clinical trials for ALKS 7119 will be completed on time or at
all; changes in the cost, scope and duration of the ALKS 7119 clinical
trials; whether ALKS 7119 could be ineffective or unsafe during clinical
studies, and whether, in such instances,
1
2
3
Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures. Accessed
from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp#quickFacts
on
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160125005347/en/
Source:
Alkermes
For Investors:
Eva
Stroynowski, +1 781-609-6823
or
For Media:
Jennifer
Snyder, +1 781-609-6166