Another Nail In Amyloid Hypothesis Coffin? Merck Ends Pivotal BACE Inhibitor Study
Executive Summary
In another blow for the amyloid hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease, Merck ended its pivotal EPOCH study for the BACE inhibitor verubecestat based on an interim assessment that there was "virtually no chance of finding a positive clinical effect" in the nearly completed Phase II/III clinical trial.
You may also be interested in...
Merck & Co. Eyes Neuroscience Advancement With US FDA’s New Receptivity To Biomarkers
Company is ‘anxious to understand’ how to utilize the agency’s views on importance of biomarkers, exec notes in earnings call. Merck & Co. and Pfizer advance COVID-19 therapeutics into Phase III. Pfizer is awaiting FDA risk-benefit assessment of JAK-1 inhibitors Xeljanz and abrocitinib.
Deal Watch: Merck Gets Rights To Yumanity’s Preclinical ALS, FTLD Candidates
Merck pays undisclosed upfront fees and promises up to $500m for milestones under licensing and collaboration agreement. Meanwhile, Tetraphase and Xerava are being acquired by La Jolla, after previous bids by Melinta and AcelRx.
Merck Acquires Novel Neurodegenerative Disease Target With Calporta Buy
The deal worth up to $576m gives Merck what Calporta founding investor Avalon believes is the most advanced program targeting TRPML1, a lysosomal ion channel implicated in neurodegenerative diseases when the lysosome stops clearing debris from cells.