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. 2017 May 24;3(3):367–384. doi: 10.1016/j.trci.2017.05.002

Alzheimer's disease drug development pipeline: 2017

Jeffrey Cummings a,∗, Garam Lee a, Travis Mortsdorf b, Aaron Ritter a, Kate Zhong c
PMCID: PMC5651419  PMID: 29067343

Abstract

Introduction

There is an urgent need to develop new treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to understand the drug development process for new AD therapies.

Methods

We assessed the agents in the AD pipeline as documented in clinicaltrials.gov for phase I, phase II, and phase III, accessed 1/5/2017.

Results

There are 105 agents in the AD treatment development pipeline, of which 25 agents are in 29 trials in phase I, 52 agents are in 68 trials in phase II, and 28 agents are in 42 trials in phase III. Seventy percent of drugs in the AD pipeline are disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Fourteen percent are symptomatic cognitive enhancers, and 13% are symptomatic agents addressing neuropsychiatric and behavioral changes (2% have undisclosed mechanisms). Most trials are sponsored by the biopharmaceutical industry. Trials include patients with preclinical AD (cognitively normal with biomarker evidence of AD), prodromal AD (mild cognitive symptoms and biomarker evidence of AD), and AD dementia. Biomarkers are included in many drug development programs particularly those for DMTs. Thirteen of 46 phase II DMT trials have amyloid imaging as an entry criterion, and 10 of 28 phase III trials incorporate amyloid imaging for diagnosis and entry. A large number of participants are needed for AD clinical trials; in total, 54,073 participants are required for trials spanning preclinical AD to AD dementia. When compared with the 2016 pipeline, there are eight new agents in phase I, 16 in phase II, and five in phase III.

Discussion

The AD drug development pipeline has 105 agents divided among phase I, phase II, and phase III. The trials include a wide range of clinical trial populations, many mechanisms of action, and require a substantial number of clinical trial participants. Biomarkers are increasingly used in patient identification and as outcome measures, particularly in trials of DMTs.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, Biomarkers, Preclinical AD, Prodromal AD, AD dementia

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing rapidly in frequency as the world's population ages and more people enter the major risk period for this age-related disorder. From the 5.3 million US citizens affected now, the number of victims will increase to 13 million or more by 2050; worldwide the total number of affected individuals will increase to a staggering 100 million [1]. The cost of care in the US, currently more than $200 billion annually, will grow to an unsupportable $1 trillion annually by 2050 [1].

New therapies are urgently needed to treat affected patients and to prevent, defer, slow the decline, or improve the symptoms of AD. It has been estimated that the overall frequency of the disease would be decreased by nearly 50% if the onset of the disease could be delayed by 5 years [2]. Symptomatic treatments are drugs aimed at cognitive enhancement or control of neuropsychiatric symptoms and typically work through neurotransmitter mechanisms; disease-modifying therapies or treatments (DMTs) are agents that prevent, delay, or slow progression and target the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of AD [3].

To understand the progress of drug development, describe the timelines regarding when drugs could become available, and interrogate the current drug development approaches for AD treatments, we examined the AD drug development pipeline as currently revealed in clinicaltrials.gov. We present our findings as a means of understanding and ultimately improving AD drug development. This paper continues the themes developed in our 2016 pipeline report [4] and impacts the understanding of the likelihood of reaching the national goal of having meaningful therapy for AD by 2025 [5].

1. Methods

Clinicaltrials.gov includes a comprehensive list of all clinical trials of AD and describes the trial features in text form. The “Common Rule” governing clinicaltrials.gov was updated in 2016 [6], [7]. Registration is mandated for all trials from sponsors with an Investigational New Drug or Investigational New Device. Trials must be submitted to the site within 21 days of the enrollment of the first trial participant. Results must be submitted to clincaltrials.gov within 12 months of completion of final data collection for the prespecified primary outcome measures; clinicaltrials.gov can be regarded as a comprehensive resource for the study of clinical trials governed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Not all non-US trials are registered on clinicaltrials.gov—especially phase I trials. We also cannot attest to compliance with the rule governing clinicaltrials.gov, and some agents may not be registered or sponsors may not adhere to required timelines.

We examined clinicaltrials.gov as of January 5, 2017. We captured all trials of all agents in phases I, II, and III. In a comprehensive database, we entered the trial title, beginning date, projected end date, calculated duration, number of subjects planned to be enrolled, number of arms of the study (usually a placebo arm and one or more treatment arms with different doses of the experimental agent), whether a biomarker was described, and sponsorship by a biopharma company, NIH, academic medical center, “other” entity such as a consortium or a philanthropic organization, or a combination of the aforementioned sponsors. We included trials that were recruiting, active but not recruiting (e.g., trials that have completed recruiting and are continuing as the efficacy or safety of the agent is being determined), enrolling by invitation, and not yet recruiting. We did not include trials listed as completed, terminated, suspended, or withdrawn. Information on these trials or the reasons for suspension or termination is often incomplete. The choice of types of trials included was informed by our intention of understanding the currently active pipeline and to know what agents could evolve in the near term. We did not include trials of nonpharmacologic therapeutic approaches such as devices, cognitive therapies, and medical food. We did not include trials of biomarkers.

The mechanism of action (MOA) of each agent was determined from the information on clinicaltrials.gov (e.g., the mechanism is often noted in the title of the trial or in a description of the trial) or from a comprehensive search of the literature if the mechanism was not provided on the federal website. In a few cases, the mechanism is undisclosed and could not be identified in the literature. We grouped the mechanisms into symptomatic agents or DMTs. We divided the symptomatic agents into those that are putative cognitive enhancing agents or those that address neuropsychiatric and behavioral symptoms. DMTs were divided into those that target amyloid-related mechanisms, those that have tau-related MOAs, and those with “other” mechanisms such as anti-inflammatory MOAs, growth factors, or metabolic effects. Stem cell therapies were included in the “other” category.

2. Results

2.1. Overview

Fig. 1 provides an overview of all agents currently in the AD pipeline. The circles reveal the stages of development (I, II, and III), the colors pertain to the MOA of the agent, and the shape denotes the population in which the agent is being tested (normal volunteers, cognitive normal at-risk individuals, prodromal AD, and AD dementia).

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Agents in clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in 2017 (from clinicaltrials.gov accessed 1/5/2017). Abbreviations: ATP, adenosine triphosphate; BNC, bisnorcymserine; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; OAA, oxaloacetate; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; SLAT, simvastatin + L-arginine + tetrahydrobiopterin.

In all, there are 105 agents in the pipeline as shown on clinicaltrials.gov, of which 25 are agents in 29 trials in phase I, 52 agents are in 68 trials in phase II, and 28 agents are in 42 trials in phase III. Across all stages, 70% are DMTs, 14% are symptomatic cognitive enhancers, 13% are symptomatic agents addressing neuropsychiatric and behavioral changes, and 2% have undisclosed MOAs.

Of all trials, 65.5% are sponsored by the biopharma industry, 16.6% by Academic Medical Centers, 3.6% by Academic Medical Center-NIH collaborations, and 10.8% by the collaborations between consortiums/philanthropic organizations and one or more of the following: biopharma, NIH, and Academic Medical Centers. One trial is sponsored by NIH, one trial by biopharma-NIH collaboration, and one trial by a biopharma-NIH-Academic Medical Center collaboration.

2.2. Phase I

Phase I first-in-human trials are generally conducted in healthy volunteers unless they are assessing immunotherapies where the potential long-term modification of the immune system makes participation of normal controls impermissible. These trials generally progress from single ascending dose trials where increasing doses are administered once in supervised settings to assess tolerability and establish a maximum tolerated dose to multiple ascending dose trials where individuals receive doses for 14 to 28 days [8], [9], [10]. Single and multiple ascending dose studies typically include cohorts of 6 to 12 individuals assigned asymmetrically to drug or placebo (e.g., four on placebo and eight on drug in a 12-person cohort). The goal of phase I trials is to assess the safety and tolerability of the agent, identify the doses to be advanced to phase II, and document the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the drug (e.g., half-life, time to maximum serum concentration [T-max], maximum serum concentration for each dose [C-max], bioavailability, dose-blood level linearity, etc). PK studies are conducted in animals before phase I but must be repeated in the first-in-human setting to establish the PK characteristics specific to men and women. Food effects on drug absorption and drug-drug interactions are also assessed in phase I studies. A cohort of healthy elderly is often included to assess the effect of age on PK parameters. In phase I/II studies, a cohort of individuals with AD may be included.

Of the 24 agents whose MOA was revealed in phase I in 2017 (Fig. 1; Table 1), 12 were directed at amyloid-related targets including eight immunotherapies, three had tau-related MOAs, and nine had other mechanisms including four symptomatic cognitive enhancers. Overall, there were 20 DMTs and four symptomatic agents in phase I. The MOA was not revealed for one agent.

Table 1.

Agents currently in phase I of Alzheimer's disease drug development (as of 1/5/2017)

Agent Agent mechanism class Mechanism of action Clinicaltrials.gov identifier Status Sponsor Start date Estimated end date
AC-1204 Metabolic Ketogenic agent NCT01741194∗ Active, not recruiting Accera Mar-13 Oct-17
Aducanumab Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT02484547 Recruiting Biogen Sep-15 Feb-22
NCT02477800 Recruiting Biogen Aug-15 Feb-22
Albumin + immunoglobulin Anti-amyloid Polyclonal antibody NCT01561053∗ Recruiting Grifols Mar-12 Dec-16
ALZT-OP1a + ALZT-OP1b Anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory Anti-amyloid combination, inhibits neuroinflammatory response NCT02547818 Recruiting AZTherapies Sep-15 Mar-18
Aripiprazole Neurotransmitter based Atypical anti-psychotic (dopamine partial agonist) NCT02168920 Recruiting Otsuka Jun-14 Jul-17
AVP-786 Neurotransmitter based Mixed transmitter effect; agitation therapy NCT02442765 Recruiting Avanir Sep-15 Jul-18
NCT02446132 Recruiting Avanir Dec-15 Jul-19
AZD3293 (LY3314814) Anti-amyloid BACE1 inhibitor NCT02245737∗ Recruiting AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly Sep-14 Aug-19
NCT02783573 Recruiting Jul-16 Apr-21
NCT02972658 Not yet recruiting Mar-17 Jul-20
Brexpiprazole (OPC-34712) Neurotransmitter based Atypical anti-psychotic (dopamine partial agonist) NCT01862640 Recruiting Otsuka, Lundbeck Jul-13 Jun-17
NCT01922258 Recruiting Otsuka, Lundbeck Sep-13 Jun-17
CAD106 Anti-amyloid Amyloid vaccine NCT02565511∗ Recruiting Novartis, Amgen, NIA, Alzheimer's Association Nov-15 Aug-23
CNP520 Anti-amyloid BACE inhibitor
Crenezumab Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT02670083 Recruiting Roche/Genentech Mar-16 Jul-21
E2609 Anti-amyloid BACE inhibitor NCT02956486 Recruiting Eisai, Biogen 0ct-16 Jun-20
Gantenerumab Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT02051608 Active, not recruiting Roche Mar-14 Nov-19
NCT01224106 Active, not recruiting Roche Nov-10 Dec-19
NCT01760005∗ Active, not recruiting Washington University, Eli Lilly, Roche, NIA, Alzheimer's Association Dec-12 Dec-19
Idalopirdine (Lu AE58054) Neurotransmitter based 5-HT6 antagonist NCT02079246 Recruiting, Extension Lundbeck Apr-14 Oct-17
NCT02006654 Active, not recruiting Lundbeck Mar-14 Mar-17
Insulin (humulin) Metabolic Metabolic agent NCT01767909∗ Recruiting University of Southern California, NIA, ATRI, Wake Forest University Sep-13 Feb-17
ITI-007 Neurotransmitter based 5-HT2A antagonist, dopamine receptor modulator NCT02817906 Recruiting Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. Jun-16 Aug-18
JNJ-54861911 Anti-amyloid BACE inhibitor NCT02569398∗ Recruiting Janssen Nov-15 May-23
Methylphenidate Neurotransmitter based Dopamine reuptake inhibitor NCT02346201 Recruiting Johns Hopkins, NIA Oct-15 Aug-20
MK-8931 (verubecestat) Anti-amyloid BACE inhibitor NCT01953601 Active, not recruiting Merck Nov-13 Mar-21
NCT01739348∗ Active, not recruiting Merck Nov-12 Jul-19
MK-4305 (suvorexant) Neurotransmitter based Dual orexin receptor antagonist NCT02750306 Recruiting Merck May-16 Jul-17
Nabilone Neurotransmitter based Cannabinoid (receptor agent) NCT02351882∗ Recruiting Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Jan-15 Dec-17
Nilvadipine Anti-Amyloid Calcium channel blocker NCT02017340 Active, not recruiting St. James' Hospital Ireland, Alzheimer Europe, Archer Pharmaceuticals Oct-12 Dec-17
Pioglitazone Metabolic PPAR-gamma agonist, anti-amyloid effect NCT02284906 Recruiting, Extension Takeda Feb-15 Apr-21
NCT01931566 Active, not recruiting Takeda Aug-13 Jul-19
RVT-101 (intepirdine) Neurotransmitter based 5-HT6 antagonist NCT02585934 Recruiting Axovant Sciences Oct-15 Oct-17
NCT02586909 Recruiting, Extension Axovant Sciences Apr-16 Jun-18
Sodium Oligo-mannurarate (GV-971) Anti-amyloid Anti-amyloid agent NCT02293915 Recruiting Shanghai Greenvalley Pharmaceutical Apr-14 May-17
Solanezumab Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT01760005∗ Active, not recruiting Washington University, Eli Lilly, Roche, NIA, Alzheimer's Association Dec-12 Dec-19
NCT02008357 Recruiting Eli Lilly, ATRI Feb-14 Oct-20
NCT01127633 Active, not recruiting, Extension Eli Lilly Dec-10 Feb-17
NCT01900665 Active, not recruiting Eli Lilly Jul-13 Feb-17
NCT02760602 Recruiting Eli Lilly Jun-16 Apr-21
TRx0237 Anti-tau Tau protein aggregation inhibitor NCT02245568 Recruiting, Extension TauRx Therapeutics Aug-14 Sept-17
TTP488 (azeliragon) Anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory Anti-amyloid RAGE antagonist NCT02080364 Recruiting vTv Therapeutics Apr-15 Jan-19
NCT02916056 Not yet recruiting Dec-16 Nov-20
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Abbreviations: ATRI, Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute; BACE, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme; NIA, National Institute on Aging; PPAR, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; RAGE, receptor for advanced glycation end products.

NOTE. Twenty-eight agents in 42 phase III clinical trials as of January 5, 2017 according to clinicaltrials.gov.

∗

Phase II/III trials. Bolded = new entries into the 2017 phase III pipeline.

Phase I trials were on average 755 days in duration (recruitment and treatment period) and involved 68 patients in each trial.

2.3. Phase II

Phase II trials advance the agents from phase I to trial populations of patients with AD. The goal of these trials is to establish preliminary efficacy based on a biomarker outcome, a clinical measure, or a combination of clinical and biomarker outcomes [11], [12]. Phase IIa trials concentrate on efficacy, and phase IIb trials further refine dosing decisions about the number of doses to be advanced to phase III. Of the 68 trials in phase II of the AD pipeline, 21 included patients with prodromal or prodromal and mild AD, 26 were trials for mild-moderate AD, one included patients with prodromal or mild-moderate AD, and one trial was for mild-moderate or severe AD. Of the symptomatic trials, 10 were for mild-moderate AD and six were for mild-moderate or severe AD.

On average, phase II trials were 1140 days in duration (recruitment plus exposure period) and involved 151 patients in each trial.

Of the 52 agents in the 68 trials, there were 36 DMTs, eight cognitive enhancing agents, seven drugs for behavioral symptoms, and one agent with an unknown MOA (Fig. 1; Table 2). Among the DMTs, 14 addressed amyloid targets, four involved tau-related targets, one addressed both amyloid and tau-related targets, and 17 had other MOAs (e.g., metabolic, or anti-inflammatory). The DMTs include six immunotherapies (four addressing amyloid and two addressing tau). Of the DMTs, 17 are repurposed agents approved for use in another indication. There are seven trials involving stem cell programs.

Table 2.

Agents currently in phase II of Alzheimer's disease drug development (as of 1/5/2017)

Agent Agent mechanism class Mechanism of Action Clinicaltrials.gov identifier Status Sponsor Start date Estimated end date
AADvac1 Anti-tau Monoclonal antibody NCT02579252 Recruiting Axon Neuroscience Dec-15 Feb-19
ABBV-8E12 Anti-tau Monoclonal antibody NCT02880956 Recruiting AbbVie Oct-16 Mar-21
ATP Anti-amyloid Inhibits amyloid misfolding and toxicity NCT02279511 Active, not recruiting Fundació Clínic per la Recerca Biomèdica, Spain Nov-14 Nov-16
AD-SVF cells Regenerative AD-SVF cell infusion NCT02912169∗ Recruiting Ageless Regenerative Institute Nov-15 Dec-17
ANAVEX 2-73 Neuroprotective Sigma-1 receptor agonist NCT02244541 Active, not recruiting Anavex Life Sciences Dec-14 Oct-16
NCT02756858 Recruiting, extension Mar-16 Nov-18
Atomoxetine Anti-amyloid Adrenergic uptake inhibitor, SNRI NCT01522404 Active, not recruiting Emory University, NIA Mar-12 Dec-17
AVP-786 Neurotransmitter based Mixed transmitter effect NCT02534038 Recruiting Avanir Oct-15 Mar-18
AZD0530 (saracatinib) Anti-amyloid Kinase inhibitor NCT02167256 Active, not recruiting Yale University, ATRI, AstraZeneca Dec-14 Dec-17
BAC Undisclosed Undisclosed mechanism NCT02886494 Not yet recruiting Charsire Biotechnology Nov-16 Nov-19
NCT02467413 Not yet recruiting Charsire Biotechnology, A2 Healthcare Taiwan Corporation Mar-16 Dec-17
BAN2401 Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT01767311 Recruiting Eisai Dec-12 Jul-18
Benfotiamine Metabolic Antioxidant NCT02292238 Recruiting Burke Medical Research Institute, Columbia University, NIA, ADDF Nov-14 Nov-19
BI409306 Neuroprotective Phosphodiesterase 9A inhibitor NCT02240693 Recruiting Boehringer Ingelheim Jan-15 Oct-17
NCT02337907 Recruiting Boehringer Ingelheim Jan-15 Oct-17
Bryostatin 1 Neuroprotective Protein kinase C modulator NCT02431468 Active, not recruiting Neurotrope Bioscience Jul-15 May-17
Candesartan Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory Angiotensin receptor blocker NCT02646982 Recruiting Emory University Jun-16 Sep-21
CB-AC-02 (Placenta derived-MSCs) Regenerative Stem cell therapy NCT02899091∗ Not yet recruiting CHA Biotech Co. Sep-16 Jun-18
Cilostazol Neuroprotective Phosphodiesterase 3 antagonist NCT02491268 Recruiting National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Japan Jul-15 Jul-18
CPC-201 Neuroprotective Cholinesterase inhibitor + peripheral cholinergic antagonist NCT02549196 Recruiting Chase Pharmaceuticals Oct-15 Dec-16
NCT02434666 Active, not recruiting, Extension Chase Pharmaceuticals Jan-15 Dec-16
NCT02860065 Not yet recruiting Chase Pharmaceuticals Sep-16 Jun-17
Crenezumab Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT01998841 Recruiting Genentech, NIA, Banner Alzheimer's Institute Dec-13 Sep-20
CT1812 Anti-amyloid Sigma-2 receptor modulator NCT02907567∗ Recruiting Cognition Therapeutics Sep-16 May-17
DAOIB Neurotransmitter based NMDA enhancer NCT02103673 Recruiting Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan Feb-14 Sep-17
NCT02239003 Recruiting Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan Jan-12 Dec-17
Dronabinol Neurotransmitter based CB1 and CB2 endocannabinoid receptor partial agonist NCT02792257 Not yet recruiting Mclean Hospital, Johns Hopkins University Aug-16 Dec-20
E2609 Anti-amyloid BACE inhibitor NCT02322021 Recruiting Eisai, Biogen Nov-14 Jan-18
Formoterol Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory β-2 adrenergic receptor agonist NCT02500784 Recruiting Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Mylan, Alzheimer's Association Jan-15 Jul-16
hUCB-MSCs Regenerative Stem cell therapy NCT02054208∗ Recruiting Medipost Feb-14 Feb-18
NCT01547689∗ Active, not recruiting Affiliated Hospital to Academy of Military Medical Sciences, China Mar-12 Dec-16
NCT02513706 Not yet recruiting South China Research Center May-16 Oct-19
NCT02672306∗ Not yet recruiting South China Research Center May-16 Oct-19
NCT02833792 Recruiting Stemedica Cell Technologies Jun-16 Jun-18
Insulin detemir (intranasal) Metabolic Increases insulin signaling in the brain NCT01595646 Active, not recruiting Wake Forest School of Medicine, Alzheimer's Association Nov-11 Mar-17
Insulin glulisine Metabolic Increases insulin signaling in the brain NCT02503501 Recruiting HealthPartners Institute Aug-15 Sep-17
JNJ-54861911 Anti-amyloid BACE inhibitor NCT02406027 Active, not recruiting, Extension Janssen Jul-15 Oct-22
Levetiracetam Neurotransmitter based Anticonvulsant NCT02002819 Recruiting University of California, San Francisco Jun-14 Dec-17
Liraglutide Metabolic Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist NCT01843075 Recruiting Imperial College London Jan-14 Mar-19
Lithium Neurotransmitter based Ion channel modulator NCT02129348 Recruiting New York State Psychiatric Institute, NIA Jun-14 Apr-19
LY3202626 Anti-amyloid BACE Inhibitor NCT02791191 Recruiting Eli Lilly Jun-16 Aug-18
Methylene blue Anti-tau Tau inhibitor; neuronal stimulant NCT02380573 Recruiting Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium Jul-15 Jul-18
NewGam 10% IVIG Anti-amyloid Polyclonal antibody NCT01300728 Active, not recruiting Sutter Health Jan-11 Nov-17
Nicotine Neurotransmitter based Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist NCT02720445 Not yet recruiting University of Southern California, NIA, ATRI, Vanderbilt University Dec-16 Dec-19
Nilotinib Anti-tau Tyrosine kinase inhibitor NCT02947893 Not yet recruiting Georgetown University Nov-16 Mar-18
ORM-12741 Neurotransmitter based Alpha-2c adrenergic receptor antagonist NCT02471196 Recruiting Orion Corporation, Janssen Jun-15 Jul-17
Pimavanserin Neurotransmitter based 5-HT2A inverse agonist NCT02035553 Active, not recruiting Acadia Nov-13 Nov-16
NCT02992132 Recruiting Acadia Nov-16 Jun-19
Piromelatine Neurotransmitter based Melatonin receptor agonist; 5-HT 1A and 1D receptor agonist NCT02615002 Recruiting Neurim Pharmaceuticals Nov-15 Mar-18
Posiphen Anti-amyloid Selective inhibitor of APP production NCT02925650∗ Not yet recruiting QR Pharma, ADCS Dec-16 Dec-18
PQ912 Anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory Glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase inhibitor NCT02389413 Recruiting Probiodrug AG, Julius Clinical, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Mar-15 Mar-17
Probucol Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory Anti-hyperlipidemic NCT02707458∗ Not yet recruiting Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Weston Brain Institute, McGill University Apr-16 May-18
Rasagiline Neuroprotective Monoamine oxidase B inhibitor NCT02359552 Recruiting The Cleveland Clinic Feb-15 May-17
Riluzole Neuroprotective Glutamate receptor antagonist; glutamate release inhibitor NCT01703117 Recruiting Rockefeller University Apr-13 Nov-18
RVT-101 Neurotransmitter based 5-HT6 antagonist NCT02910102 Recruiting Axovant Sciences Oct-16 Sep-17
S47445 Neurotransmitter based AMPA receptor agonist; nerve growth factor stimulant NCT02626572 Active, not recruiting Servier Feb-15 Dec-17
Sargramostim (GM-CSF) Anti-amyloid Granulocyte colony stimulator; amyloid removal NCT01409915 Recruiting University of Colorado, Denver, The Dana Foundation Mar-11 Jan-17
NCT02667496 Recruiting Sanofi, NIA Nov-16 Apr-18
Simvastatin + L-Arginine + Tetrahydrobiopterin (SLAT) Neuroprotective HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and antioxidant NCT01439555 Recruiting University of Massachusetts, Worcester Nov-11 Dec-16
STA-1 Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory Antioxidant properties of echinascoside NCT01255046 Not yet recruiting Sinphar Pharmaceuticals Dec-15 Dec-18
SUVN-502 Neurotransmitter based 5-HT6 antagonist NCT02580305 Recruiting Suven Life Sciences Sep-15 Jun-17
T-817 MA Neuroprotective Neurotrophic agent NCT02079909 Active, not recruiting Toyama Chemical, ADCS Mar-14 Mar-17
Telmisartan Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory Angiotensin II receptor blocker, PPAR-gamma agonist NCT02085265 Recruiting Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, ADDF Mar-14 Aug-18
UB-311 Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT02551809 Recruiting United Neuroscience Oct-15 Dec-17
Valacyclovir Anti-amyloid, Anti-tau Antiviral agent NCT02997982 Recruiting Umea University Dec-16 Dec-17
VX-745 Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor NCT02423200 Active, not recruiting EIP Pharma Apr-15 Nov-16
NCT02423122 Active, not recruiting EIP Pharma Apr-15 Sep-16
Xanamema Neuroprotective Blocks 11-HSD1 enzyme activity, decreasing cortisol in brain NCT02727699 Not yet recruiting Actinogen Medical, ICON Clinical Research Jun-16 Aug-18
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Abbreviations: ADCS, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study; ADDF, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation; AD-SVF, adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction; AMPA, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; ATRI, Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute; BACE, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; HMG-CoA, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme; hUCB-MSCs, human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; NIA, National Institute on Aging; NMDA, N-methyl-d-aspartate; PPAR, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; SNRI, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

NOTE. Fifty-two agents in 68 phase II clinical trials currently ongoing as of January 5, 2017 according to clinicaltrials.gov.

∗

Phase I/II trials. Bolded = new entries into the 2017 phase II pipeline.

Of the drugs with amyloid targets, there were three β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitors, four immunotherapies, and eight anti-aggregation agents. Fig. 2 shows the MOAs of agents in phase II.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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Mechanisms of action of agents in phase II. Abbreviation: BACE, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme.

2.4. Phase III

Phases II and III trials are often called “learn” and “confirm” trials, respectively, with phase III intended to confirm effects observed in phase II in larger populations treated for longer periods of time [11], [13]. In addition to providing crucial efficacy data, phase III trials also provide exposure data on larger numbers of patient-days essential to establishing the safety and tolerability of the candidate therapy.

Of the 28 agents in the 42 trials, there were 18 DMTs, three cognitive enhancing agents, and seven drugs for behavioral symptoms. Among the DMTs, 15 addressed amyloid targets, one involved a tau-related target, and two had a metabolic MOA. The DMTs include six immunotherapies (all addressing amyloid). Of the DMTs, four are repurposed agents approved for use in another indication. Of the drugs with amyloid targets, there were five BACE inhibitors, six immunotherapies, and four anti-aggregation agents. Table 3 shows the agents currently in phase III of AD drug development. Fig. 3 shows the MOAs of agents in phase III and Fig. 4 shows an illustration of the drug mechanism of phase III agents and the proposed biology of AD.

Table 3.

Agents currently in phase III of Alzheimer's disease drug development (as of 1/5/2017)

Agent Agent mechanism class Mechanism of Action Clinicaltrials.gov identifier Status Sponsor Start date Estimated end date
AADvac1 Anti-tau Monoclonal antibody directed at Tau epitope NCT02031198 Active, not recruiting Axon Neuroscience Jan-14 Dec-16
Aducanumab Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT01677572 Active, not recruiting Biogen Oct-12 Oct-19
NCT02434718 Active, not recruiting Biogen May-15 Dec-16
NCT02782975 Active, not recruiting Biogen May-16 Nov-16
Allopregnanolone injection Regenerative GABA receptor modulator NCT02221622 Recruiting University of Southern California, NIA Aug-14 Jun-17
BI409306 Neurotransmitter based Phosphodiesterase 9A inhibitor NCT02392468 Recruiting Boehringer Ingelheim Apr-15 May-17
Bisnorcymserine (BNC) Neurotransmitter based Butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor NCT01747213 Recruiting NIA Nov-12 Jul-17
BPN14770 Neuroprotective Negative allosteric modulator of phosphodiesterase 4D NCT02840279 Recruiting Tetra Discovery Partners Jun-16 Dec-16
NCT02648672 Recruiting Tetra Discovery Partners Dec-15 Apr-16
Crenezumab Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT02353598 Recruiting Genentech Feb-15 May-17
E2609 Anti-amyloid BACE Inhibitor NCT02859207 Not yet recruiting Eisai, Biogen Aug-16 Jan-17
HTL0009936 Neurotransmitter based Muscarinic M1 receptor agonist NCT02546310 Recruiting Heptares Therapeutics Sep-15 Sep-16
Insulin Aspart Intranasal Metabolic Increases insulin signaling in the brain NCT02462161 Recruiting Wake Forest School of Medicine, NIA, General Electric May-15 Dec-16
KHK6640 Anti-amyloid Amyloid aggregation inhibitor NCT02127476 Active, not recruiting Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma Jul-14 Apr-17
hMSCs Regenerative Stem cell therapy NCT02600130 Recruiting Longeveron LLC Jan-16 Oct-19
Lu AF20513 Anti-amyloid Polyclonal antibody NCT02388152 Recruiting H. Lundbeck A/S Mar-15 May-17
LY2599666 + solanezumab Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody combination NCT02614131 Active, not recruiting Eli Lilly and Company Dec-15 Sep-17
LY3002813 Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT01837641 Active, not recruiting Eli Lilly and Company May-13 Jan-17
NCT02624778 Recruiting Eli Lilly and Company Dec-15 Jun-20
LY3303560 Anti-amyloid Monoclonal antibody NCT02754830 Recruiting Eli Lilly and Company Apr-16 Apr-17
MK-8931 (verubecestat) Anti-amyloid BACE Inhibitor NCT02910739 Recruiting Merck Oct-16 Apr-17
NGP 555 Anti-amyloid Gamma-secretase modulator NCT02537938 Recruiting NeuroGenetic Pharmaceuticals Jan-16 Oct-16
Oxaloacetate (OAA) Metabolic Mitochondrial enhancer NCT02593318 Recruiting University of Kansas Medical Center Oct-15 Oct-17
PF-06751979 Anti-amyloid Undisclosed mechanism NCT02793232 Recruiting Pfizer Jun-16 Jan-17
RGN1016 Undisclosed Undisclosed mechanism NCT02820155 Recruiting National Taiwan University Jun-16 Feb-17
RO7105705 Anti-tau Anti-tau antibody NCT02820896 Recruiting Genentech Jun-16 May-17
TAK-071 Neurotransmitter based Muscarinic M1 receptor modulator NCT02769065 Recruiting Takeda May-16 Mar-17
Telmisartan Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory Angiotensin II receptor blocker, PPAR-gamma agonist NCT02471833 Recruiting Emory University Apr-15 Mar-18
TPI-287 Anti-tau Microtubule protein modulator NCT01966666 Active, not recruiting University of California, San Francisco May-14 Nov-17
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Abbreviations: BACE, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme; GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid; hMSCs, mesenchymal stem cells; NIA, National Institute on Aging; PPAR, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor.

NOTE. Twenty-five agents in 29 phase I clinical trials currently ongoing as of January 5, 2017 according to clinicaltrials.gov. Bolded = new entries into the 2017 phase I pipeline.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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Mechanisms of action of agents in phase III. Abbreviation: BACE, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

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Illustration of drug mechanism (phase III agents) and the proposed biology of Alzheimer's disease. (A) Amyloid cascade. (B) Downstream pathophysiology. Abbreviation: BACE, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme.

Among the DMT trials, there were five prevention trials enrolling cognitively normal participants at high risk for developing AD in the course of the trials; 14 trials of patients with prodromal AD (those with minimal cognitive symptoms and a biomarker indicative of AD-related brain changes) or prodromal/mild AD; and nine trials of patients with mild-moderate AD.

On average, phase III trials involved 1012 patients and were 1677 days in duration (including the recruitment and the treatment period). When divided by MOA, DMT trials were 1948 days long (945.84 treatment days) and included 1212 patients. Cognitive enhancer trials were 1114 days long (215.81 treatment days) and involved 1044 patients. Trials of drugs for behavioral symptoms are 1146 days long (113.61 treatment days) and included 372 patients. For all DMTs, the average duration of therapy is 135 weeks; the average period from trial initiation to primary completion date (final data collection date for primary outcome measure) is 246 weeks. This indicates that 111 weeks (>2 years) is the average anticipated recruitment time. On average, prevention trials recruiting cognitively normal individuals at risk for AD are 363 weeks in duration; trials entering patients with prodromal/prodromal-mild AD are 278 weeks in duration; and trials for patients with mild-moderate AD are 231 weeks in duration. Anticipated recruitment periods for these three types of trials are 134 weeks, 105 weeks, and 107 weeks, respectively.

2.5. Participant numbers

Recruitment is the slowest and most expensive aspect of clinical trials [14]. The period of recruitment may exceed the period of treatment in the clinical trial cycle. The total number of participants needed to populate all clinical trials for AD is large. Table 4 shows the number of participants needed for all current prevention trials, phase I, phase II, and phase III trials.

Table 4.

Number of participants needed for AD clinical trials

Participant type Phase I Phase II Phase III Total
Healthy volunteers 864 120 0 984
Preclinical AD 66 323 7850 8239
Prodromal/prodromal-mild AD 597 3877 17,535 22,009
Mild-moderate AD 626 4528 17,099 22,253
Severe AD 0 568 20 588
Total 2153 9416 42,504 54,073
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Abbreviation: AD, Alzheimer's disease.

2.6. Biomarkers

Biomarkers have many roles in clinical trials including identifying patients for trials and verifying diagnosis, assessing target engagement and providing proof of pharmacology, serving as outcomes for DMT trials, and assessing side effects (e.g., monitoring amyloid-related imaging abnormalities [ARIAs] observed with some immunotherapies) [14], [15], [16], [17]. ARIA has emerged as a concern in several major immunotherapy development programs–bapineuzumab, gantenerumab, and aducanumab. Although largely asymptomatic, these changes can lead to permanent neurologic sequelae and will be a focus of research once the efficacy of the immunotherapies is established. Preliminary evidence suggests that longer dose titration periods may decrease the risk of ARIAs [18].

Not all trial descriptions in clinicalrials.gov note if biomarkers are used. Table 5 shows the biomarkers used as outcome measures in current phase II and phase III AD clinical trials as included in the federal website. Of the 28 phase III DMT trials, 10 trials use amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) as an entry criterion, two use cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid, and two use either amyloid PET or CSF amyloid. Thirteen out of 46 phase II DMT trials used amyloid-PET as an entry criterion.

Table 5.

Biomarkers as outcome measures in phase II and phase III trials for agents in the Alzheimer's disease drug development pipeline (clinicaltrials.gov; 1/5/2017)

Biomarker N of trials (%)
Phase III Phase II
CSF amyloid 12 (28.6) 17 (25.0)
CSF tau 13 (31.0) 16 (23.5)
FDG-PET 5 (11.9) 10 (14.7)
vMRI 9 (21.4) 6 (8.8)
Plasma amyloid 4 (9.5) 5 (7.4)
Plasma tau 0 1 (1.5)
Amyloid PET 13 (31.0) 6 (8.8)
Tau PET 1 (2.4) 0
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Abbreviations: CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; FDG, fluorodeoxyglucose; PET, positron emission tomography; vMRI, volumetric magnetic resonance imaging.

2.7. Comparison to 2016 pipeline

In any 1-year period, there is relatively little movement in the AD pipeline. Compared to 2016, there are eight new agents in phase I, 16 in phase II, and five in phase III. Of the new agents in phase II, three of the 16 were previously present in phase I (AADvac1, CT1812, and LY3202626). Of the new agents in phase III, two of the five were previously noted in phase II (crenezumab and E2609).

Agents can appear in phase II without having been listed in phase I because the phase I study was not done in the US and was not registered on clinicaltrials.gov or because they are repurposed agents that had the PK and dosing established through trials for a non-AD indication [15], [19], [20]. Rarely, a repurposed agent can enter directly into phase III without a phase II trial. In the AD pipeline, there are 18 repurposed agents in phase II and nine in phase III.

Seven agents were listed in phase II in 2016 and are not listed in phase I, II, or III in 2017. These agents have at least temporarily exited the drug development pipeline. Four trials for the following agents were completed in 2016 but are not listed in the 2017 pipeline: exenatide, PXT00864, RO4602522, and RPh201. Two trials were terminated (MK-7622 and PF-05212377), and the trial status for metformin changed to “unknown” because it has not been updated for more than 2 years on clinicaltrials.gov.

One agent (masitinib) was listed in phase III in 2016 and is not listed in phase I, II, or III in 2017. Its trial status changed to “unknown” because it has not been updated on clinicaltrials.gov since 2013. Development of this agent has been at least temporarily interrupted.

Candidate agents that are no longer evident in the pipeline may have failed to demonstrate efficacy in well-conducted trials, they may have failed to show efficacy in trials whose features suggest the trials were not well conducted, or there may be industry reasons for halting the program (e.g., insufficient funding, reprioritization of agents in development, change in company business agenda, and management decision after assessment of the competitive landscape) [21].

3. Discussion

There is a modest pipeline of drugs in development for AD. Most candidate therapies are DMTs (70% across all phases), and the remainder are symptomatic agents directed at cognitive enhancement (14%) or treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms (13%) and agents with undisclosed MOAs (2%). This closely resembles the pipeline as it appeared in 2016 where 73% were DMTs, 18% cognitive enhancers, and 9% psychotropic agents [4]. There are eight new agents in phase I, 16 in phase II, and five in phase III. From the 2016 pipeline, several agents have exited and not yet reappeared including six in phase I, seven in phase II, and one in phase III. Leuco-methylthioninium (LMTM) (or TRx0237) derived from methylene blue and addressing tau aggregation completed its phase III trials in 2016 and failed to meet prespecified outcomes of the trial [22]; however, its open-label extension study is listed as ongoing.

The shortcomings of clinicaltrials.gov as a database are important to recognize when considering the data presented here. Not all phase I trials, especially those conducted outside the US, may be registered, and our phase I data may underestimate the number of phase I candidates. Trials are required to be registered within 21 days of entering the first patient into the trial [7], but not all sponsors meet this deadline. The data provided may not represent the entire universe of AD drug development [23]. We stopped entering new data into our database at a time that allowed submission, peer review, and publication; the data presented are a few months out-of-date (data collection stopped January 5, 2017). Nevertheless, the FDA Modernization Act requires all trials to be registered and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors requires trials to be registered to be eligible for publication [24]. The clinicaltrials.gov database is acceptably comprehensive—the most complete of any existing database—and a sound basis for drawing conclusions about AD drug development with the caveats mentioned here.

Phase I is not the only source of compounds for phases II and III. Agents repurposed from other indications may have MOAs worthy of exploration in AD. Antihypertensive agents, statins, anti-inflammatory agents, calcium channel blockers, and agents with many other MOAs have been proposed as drugs with effects possibly useful in treating AD and can enter AD drug development pipelines at phase II or phase III [15], [19], [20]. Psychiatric agents are commonly developed in non-AD populations (e.g., major depressive disorder, schizophrenia) before being assessed in AD patients. Safety, tolerability, PK, and dosing observations of phase I may be available from studies conducted for the initial indication. Thus, the phase I observations provided here may not entirely forecast the compounds available for phase II and phase III. Nevertheless, the intellectual property challenges of repurposed compounds such as short-patent life limit biopharma interest in these agents, and only a modest number of repurposed agents are represented in the AD drug development pipeline (18 in phase II and six in phase III). The small number of phase I compounds is a concern for the overall health of the AD drug development pipeline.

A striking observation derived from these data is the long recruitment period anticipated for phase III DMTs. The anticipated recruitment period is often longer than the treatment period, and in many cases, these planned recruitment goals are not met [25], [26]. Prevention trials require more time to recruit than prodromal trials (133.5 weeks and 105.4 weeks, respectively) and mild-moderate AD trials (106.9 weeks). Slow recruitment is among the greatest challenges to efficiency of AD drug development [14]. This observation underlies recent efforts in the AD drug development arena to advance new methods for patient recruitment including electronic engagement of potential participants, creation of registries of candidate subjects, and providing transportation, neighborhood vans, and insurance-based referral mechanisms to facilitate subject recruitment and shorten drug development timelines [27], [28].

A daunting conclusion from this review of clinicaltrials.gov is the large number of participants required to conduct the trials. Registered preclinical AD trials will require 8239 participants; trials of prodromal or prodromal/mild populations require 22,009 participants; trials of mild to moderate AD dementia are forecasted to require 22,253 participants; and trials in severe AD dementia will require 588 participants. In total, 54,073 participants will be required to complete the current AD trials. Trial recruitment is among the slowest and most expensive of all aspects of clinical trial conduct. The recruitment of such large numbers of participants will represent a substantial challenge to the system, and reforms are necessary to accelerate clinical trials and enhance recruitment [27], [28].

BACE inhibitors are among the most common classes of molecules in the AD pipeline. Currently, there are 10 phase II or phase III trials involving BACE inhibitors (Table 6). The pipeline for BACE inhibitors has emerged only recently largely because of the challenging structure-activity requirements for BACE inhibition; agents need to be large enough to block BACE's large active site, while at the same time, agents need to be small enough to pass through the blood-brain barrier and lipophilic enough to enter endosomes where BACE is active [29]. Advances in small-molecule screening approaches have helped overcome these challenges and facilitated the entry of a number of BACE inhibitors into the pipeline [30]. All the BACE inhibitors currently in phases II and III trials are small molecules that demonstrate favorable PK when administered orally. The published results of phase I testing in both healthy participants and AD populations have demonstrated robust (45%–95%) reductions in CSF amyloid β protein (Aβ) levels [31]. This degree of target engagement has not previously been documented with other anti-amyloid therapies leading some authors to posit that BACE inhibition represents the first true test of the amyloid hypothesis [32]. Based on strong biomarker data, some BACE inhibitors have bypassed phase II testing moving directly from phase I into phase III trials. As a result, little is known about the clinical efficacy or safety of long-term BACE inhibition. The first BACE inhibitor trial to be tested in phase III in an AD dementia population was recently terminated for the lack of efficacy [33]. Data from this and other studies will begin to answer the key questions regarding BACE inhibitors including when in the disease continuum should inhibition be started; what degree of amyloid inhibition is required for clinical benefit; does reduction in amyloid synthesis affect clinical progression; and are there unidentified safety concerns with long-term BACE inhibition?

Table 6.

BACE inhibitors in clinical trials for AD

BACE inhibitors currently in phase II or III of development
Agent (sponsor) Clinicaltrials.gov identifier (trial name) Phase Population Start date Estimated end date
CNP520 (Novartis) NCT02565511 (GENERATION) II/III Asymptomatic (homozygote APOE ε4/ε4) 11/2015 08/2023
E2609 (Eisai) NCT02322021 II MCI to moderate AD 11/2014 01/2018
NCT02956486 (MISSION-AD1) III MCI to mild AD 10/2016 06/2020
JNJ54861911 (Janssen) NCT02406027 II MCI to mild AD 07/2015 10/2022
NCT02569398 II/III Preclinical (amyloid positive) 11/2015 05/2023
LY3202626 (Lilly) NCT02791191 (NAVIGATE-AD) II Mild AD 06/2016 08/2018
LY3314814 (Lilly) NCT02245737 (AMARANTH) II/III MCI to mild AD 9/2014 8/2019
NCT02783573 (DAYBREAK ALZ) III Mild AD 7/2016 08/2021
Verubecestat (Merck) NCT01739348 (EPOCH) II/III Mild to moderate AD 11/2012 06/2017
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Abbreviations: AD, Alzheimer's disease; BACE, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme; MCI, mild cognitive impairment.

Immunotherapies, especially monoclonal antibodies, are also well represented in the AD pipeline. There are currently 16 immunotherapy agents in 31 trials (Table 7). This includes aducanumab, solanezumab, crenezumab, gantenerumab, and BAN2401. Immunotherapies target a variety of epitopes of Aβ. Solanezumab targets soluble Aβ; this agent recently failed to show a drug-placebo difference in a phase III trial. It was terminated as a candidate therapy for AD dementia [34]. It continues in prevention trials. Aducanumab targets multiple Aβ species, has had an encouraging phase I/II trial, and is continuing in phase III [35].

Table 7.

Immunotherapies in clinical trials for AD (clinicaltrials.gov accessed 1/5/2017)

Agent Sponsor Target Trial phase Population
AADvac1 Axon Neuroscience Anti-tau mAb 1 AD
AADvac1 Axon Neuroscience Anti-tau mAb 2 Mild-moderate AD
ABBV-8E12 AbbVie Anti-tau mAb 2 Early AD
Aducanumab Biogen mAb targeting multiple forms of Aβ 1 Healthy volunteers
Aducanumab Biogen mAb targeting multiple forms of Aβ 1 Prodromal-mild AD
Aducanumab Biogen mAb targeting multiple forms of Aβ 1 Mild-moderate AD
Aducanumab Biogen mAb targeting multiple forms of Aβ 3 Early AD
Aducanumab Biogen mAb targeting multiple forms of Aβ 3 Early AD
Albumin and immunoglobulin Grifols Polyclonal antibody targeting multiple forms of Aβ 3 Mild-moderate AD
BAN2401 Eisai mAb targeting N terminal protofibrils 2 Early AD
CAD106 Novartis, NIA Aβ1–6, active vaccine 2 AD, at risk
Crenezumab Genentech mAb targeting soluble oligomer and fibrillar Aβ 1 Mild-moderate AD
Crenezumab Genentech, NIA, Academic mAb targeting soluble oligomer and fibrillar Aβ 2 ADAD
Crenezumab Genentech mAb targeting soluble oligomer and fibrillar Aβ 3 Prodromal-mild AD
Gantenerumab Roche mAb targeting aggregated Aβ 3 Mild AD
Gantenerumab Roche mAb targeting aggregated Aβ 3 Prodromal AD
Gantenerumab Roche, Lilly, Alzheimer's Association mAb targeting aggregated Aβ 2/3 AD, at risk
Solanezumab Lilly, Roche, Alzheimer's Association mAb targeting monomeric Aβ 2/3 AD, at risk
KH6640 Kyowa Hakko Kirin mAb targeting aggregated Aβ 1 AD
Lu AF20513 Lundbeck 1 Mild AD
NewGam 10% IVIG Sutter Health Polyclonal antibody targeting multiple forms of Aβ 2 Amnestic MCI
LY2599666 & solanezumab Lilly Combination of BACE inhibitor and MAb targeting monomeric Aβ 1 MCI due to AD
LY3303560 Lilly 1 MCI due to AD-mild AD
LY30032813 Lilly 1 MCI due to AD
LY30032813 Lilly 1 Mild-moderate AD
RO7105705 Genentech Anti-tau mAb 1 Mild-moderate AD
Solanezumab Lilly mAb targeting monomeric Aβ 3 Prodromal AD
Solanezumab Lilly mAb targeting monomeric Aβ 3 Preclinical AD
Solanezumab Lilly mAb targeting monomeric Aβ 3 AD
Solanezumab Lilly mAb targeting monomeric Aβ 3 Mild AD
UB-311 United Neuroscience mAb targeting N terminal Aβ1–14 2 Mild AD
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Abbreviations: AD, Alzheimer's disease; ADAD, autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease; mAb, monoclonal antibody; MCI, mild cognitive impairment Yes, the expansion is correct.; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; NIA, National Institute on Aging.

President Obama articulated a goal of cure or meaningful treatment for AD by the year 2025 [5], [36]. A recent analysis of AD drug development showed that it takes on average 13 years for a candidate treatment to move from laboratory to FDA review and 10 years for an agent to navigate the clinical development period from start of phase I to end of FDA review [37]. This means that under current circumstances, an agent must now be in phase II to possibly be approved by 2025 [5]. Although there are promising agents in the pipeline that could achieve this goal, it is clear that given the high rate of failure of AD drug development [38], the aim of having a repertoire of agents that could respond comprehensively and individually to a patient's clinical circumstances within the 2025 timeframe is in jeopardy.

There are many factors contributing to the currently low rate of success of drug development for AD. The understanding of the biology of AD is incomplete, the emphasis on testing single therapies where combinations may be required, the few candidates entering phase I, the lack of predictive validity of animal models, lack of efficacy of candidate therapies, and the emergence of unacceptable side effects all limit successful treatment development. When clinical trials are considered, the slowness of recruitment, lack, until recently, of tests for diagnostic confirmation, the requirement to globalize trials to achieve sufficient recruitment at the expense of data variability, and the heterogeneity of AD may all contribute to the lack of success in trials.

Biomarkers can contribute substantially to drug development success [39]. In AD, there are few biomarkers given the myriad of affected processes; there are only a small number of target engagement biomarkers capable of giving an early readout on proof of pharmacology; there are no surrogate markers known to predict the clinical outcome; and no validated outcome biomarkers have been shown to correlate with clinical outcomes in a trial in support of disease modification. These circumstances disadvantage AD drug development and increase the failure rates, especially for proposed DMTs.

Symptomatic agents are an important part of the AD drug development pipeline. There are four cognitive enhancing agents and no agents targeting behavioral symptoms in phase I clinical trials. Phase II has eight cognitive enhancing agents and seven behavioral agents in trials, whereas phase III has three cognitive enhancing agents and seven behavioral agents. Together there are 15 cognitive enhancers and 14 agents targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms in the pipeline. This comprises 27% of the AD drug development pipeline. Treatments for neuropsychiatric symptoms are more likely than other classes of drugs to enter the pipeline in phase II or III after they have been assessed in phase I with the intent of treating a primary psychiatric illness.

The solution to the problem of the few agents in the AD drug development pipeline, the many challenges facing candidate therapies, and the slow speed of testing drugs can be partially addressed by increased funding. The NIH is critically involved in addressing AD as one of the major challenges to human health that currently goes unchecked. Investment in basic research will assist in identifying more targets and candidate compounds, whereas investment in translational research can help support clinical trials and improve trial methods. Federal small business loans can help fund enterprising new approaches to drug treatment; academic medical centers can spin off biotech startups around promising tests, biomarkers, and drugs; and venture capital can help support startup through early phases of development until larger biopharma companies are ready to take agents through the final most expensive phases of clinical trials and FDA review. Philanthropy and innovative approaches such as venture philanthropy may help accelerate AD drug discovery and development funding [40]. Biopharma sponsors 65.5% of all clinical trials and is the major economic force for drug development.

All these financial instruments, however, are currently in place and are not sufficient to respond to the urgent need. New investment vehicles are needed, and some have been proposed such as private-federal bonds [41], [42]. Medicare and insurance companies who stand to benefit from improved health of the elderly should be engaged in funding conversations. New types of collaborations (e.g., between NIH and biopharma companies and between two biopharma companies) and consortia (e.g., the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative) are increasing the financial feasibility of bearing the expense of AD drug development and enhancing the chance of success.

The need is great, the challenges many, the rewards high: this is the condition of AD drug development. Monitoring the AD drug development pipeline provides perspective on the success of the response to these challenges.

Research in Context.

  • 1.

    Systematic review: Drug development for Alzheimer's disease (AD) proceeds through three phases (I, II, and III). By assessing the number of agents in each phase as recorded on clinicaltrials.gov, one can determine current AD drug development activity to assess how many agents are being studied, the success of the research, and how the number of new drugs can be increased.

  • 2.

    Interpretation: Our data show that there are 105 drugs in development for treatment of AD. There are more drugs in phase II (52) than in phase III (28) or phase I (25). The small number of phase I compounds suggests that there is insufficient drug discovery activity to supply new agents for testing in clinical trials.

  • 3.

    Future directions: This review of the AD drug development pipeline provides insight into the state of AD drug development and can help guide new development programs.

Footnotes

J.C. has provided consultation to AbbVie, Acadia, Actinogen, Alzheon, Anavex, Avanir, Axovant, Bracket, Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, Lundbeck, MedAvante, Merck, Orion, Otsuka, Pfizer, QR, Roche, Suven, and Takeda Pharmaceutical and assessment companies. T.M., G.L., and A.R. have no disclosures. K.Z. is an employee of the Global Alzheimer Platform.

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