Axonyx Announces Results of Interim Analysis of Beta-Amyloid Trial

Axonyx has announced interim results from the first 37 patients in a Phase IIb double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial (designated AX-CL-06a) designed to evaluate the effects of Phenserine tartrate on cerebrospinal fluid levels of beta-amyloid (A(beta) 1- 42) and other biomarkers in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

The presence of toxic beta-amyloid in the brains of AD patients is considered by many experts to be a key pathological event in the causation as well as the progression of AD. A reduction of beta-amyloid levels could correlate to a reduced progression of AD. Patients received Phenserine 10 mg or 15 mg twice daily or placebo for a period of six months.

The company scheduled this interim analysis to assess the benefit of continuing enrollment. Predefined criteria for the interim analysis were based on beta amyloid 1 - 42 levels in patients who completed the study successfully and referred to as the per protocol population.