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New Data from Biogen’s Investigational Antisense Oligonucleotide (ASO) Targeting Tau Shows Promise for Potential New Generation of Treatments in Early Alzheimer’s Disease
In the Phase 1b study, favorable trends were reported for the high-dose groups on multiple measures of cognition and function.First study of a tau targeting
About this update from Biogen Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"In the Phase 1b study, favorable trends were reported for the high-dose groups on multiple measures of cognition and function.First study of a tau targeting drug that shows reduction of aggregated tau pathology and favorable trends on clinical outcomes.Recruitment is underway for the Phase 2 CELIA study further investigating clinical efficacy and safety. CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) reported new Phase 1b clinical data from the study of BIIB080, an investigational antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy targeting tau, in mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The data showed favorable trends on multiple exploratory endpoints of cognition and activities of daily living in AD (n=46), building upon prior results which showed a reduction of tau protein in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF t-tau) and tau positron emission tomography (PET) across brain regions. The late-breaking results were presented at the 2023 Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) meeting held in Boston, MA from October 24-27. In AD, both tau and amyloid beta are linked to disease progression.1 Tau protein can form tangles which progressively accumulate in brain regions involved in cognition.2 The accumulation of pathological tau tangles has been shown to lead to neuronal loss. ASO therapies are seen as promising tools for modulating production of disease-associated proteins. Currently, the ASO approach underpins more than 60 treatments approved or in clinical trials for a variety of disease areas including a range of cancers, viral illnesses, and genetic conditions.3 “This is the first time we’ve seen both strong target engagement and favorable trends on clinical outcomes with a novel mechanism targeting tau,” said Priya Singhal, M.D., M.P.H., Head of Development at Biogen. “While these are preliminary findings, we are excited about these results and continue to enroll the Phase 2 CELIA study. We believe defeating Alzheimer’s disease will take different approaches and we are committed to exploring the targeting of tau as a new generation of treatment.” In results presented at CTAD, favorable trends were observed on the global Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB), Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) cognitive scales and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) at week 100 in groups treated with a high-dose of BIIB0...