Program Designed to Optimize Development Plans and Speed Up Evaluation of Investigational Treatments That Target Unmet Medical Needs
CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I June 2, 2016 I Today Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) announced that aducanumab, its investigational treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease (AD), was accepted into the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) program. PRIME aims to bring treatments to patients faster by enhancing the EMA’s support for the development of investigational medicines for diseases without available treatment or in need of better treatment options.
“Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating condition affecting a growing number of patients and their loved ones, and there is an urgent need for new effective treatment for this disease,” said Alfred Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer at Biogen. “Aducanumab’s acceptance into the PRIME program is a significant benefit to its development and to the European Alzheimer’s disease community. We look forward to collaborating with the EMA on development plans and potential accelerated assessment of aducanumab with the hope of bringing effective treatment to patients as soon as possible.”
Investigational treatments accepted into PRIME must demonstrate potential for a major therapeutic advantage in areas of unmet medical need. Aducanumab was accepted into PRIME based on results from the Phase 1b placebo-controlled study of aducanumab in patients with prodromal or mild Alzheimer’s disease.
Through the PRIME program Biogen will have access to enhanced support from EMA, including its advice at key development milestones and the potential for accelerated assessment of a marketing authorisation application (MAA).
Aducanumab is currently being evaluated in two global Phase 3 studies, ENGAGE and EMERGE, which are designed to evaluate its safety and efficacy in slowing cognitive impairment and the progression of disability in people with early Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information about the Phase 3 studies, including information about participating centers, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02477800 or NCT02484547).
About Aducanumab
Aducanumab (BIIB037) is an investigational compound being developed for the treatment of early AD. Aducanumab is a human recombinant monoclonal antibody (mAb) derived from a de-identified library of B cells collected from healthy elderly subjects with no signs of cognitive impairment or cognitively impaired elderly subjects with unusually slow cognitive decline using Neurimmune’s technology platform called Reverse Translational Medicine (RTM). Biogen licensed aducanumab from Neurimmune under a collaborative development and license agreement.
Aducanumab is thought to target aggregated forms of beta amyloid including soluble oligomers and insoluble fibrils deposited into the amyloid plaque in the brain of AD patients. Based on pre-clinical and interim Phase 1b data, treatment with aducanumab has been shown to reduce amyloid plaque levels.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and behavioral disturbances that eventually result in a person’s inability to perform daily activities. In 2010, it was estimated that 25 million individuals were living with AD worldwide1. Evidence suggests that pathophysiological changes typically begin years prior to the symptoms that lead to a clinical diagnosis. As the disease progresses, cognitive impairments, behavioral changes and functional disability commonly associated with AD begin to manifest.
About Biogen
Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen discovers, develops and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological, autoimmune and rare diseases. Founded in 1978, Biogen is one of the world’s oldest independent biotechnology companies and patients worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis and innovative hemophilia therapies. For more information, please visit www.biogen.com. Follow us on Twitter.
SOURCE: Biogen
Post Views: 42
Program Designed to Optimize Development Plans and Speed Up Evaluation of Investigational Treatments That Target Unmet Medical Needs
CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I June 2, 2016 I Today Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) announced that aducanumab, its investigational treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease (AD), was accepted into the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) program. PRIME aims to bring treatments to patients faster by enhancing the EMA’s support for the development of investigational medicines for diseases without available treatment or in need of better treatment options.
“Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating condition affecting a growing number of patients and their loved ones, and there is an urgent need for new effective treatment for this disease,” said Alfred Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer at Biogen. “Aducanumab’s acceptance into the PRIME program is a significant benefit to its development and to the European Alzheimer’s disease community. We look forward to collaborating with the EMA on development plans and potential accelerated assessment of aducanumab with the hope of bringing effective treatment to patients as soon as possible.”
Investigational treatments accepted into PRIME must demonstrate potential for a major therapeutic advantage in areas of unmet medical need. Aducanumab was accepted into PRIME based on results from the Phase 1b placebo-controlled study of aducanumab in patients with prodromal or mild Alzheimer’s disease.
Through the PRIME program Biogen will have access to enhanced support from EMA, including its advice at key development milestones and the potential for accelerated assessment of a marketing authorisation application (MAA).
Aducanumab is currently being evaluated in two global Phase 3 studies, ENGAGE and EMERGE, which are designed to evaluate its safety and efficacy in slowing cognitive impairment and the progression of disability in people with early Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information about the Phase 3 studies, including information about participating centers, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02477800 or NCT02484547).
About Aducanumab
Aducanumab (BIIB037) is an investigational compound being developed for the treatment of early AD. Aducanumab is a human recombinant monoclonal antibody (mAb) derived from a de-identified library of B cells collected from healthy elderly subjects with no signs of cognitive impairment or cognitively impaired elderly subjects with unusually slow cognitive decline using Neurimmune’s technology platform called Reverse Translational Medicine (RTM). Biogen licensed aducanumab from Neurimmune under a collaborative development and license agreement.
Aducanumab is thought to target aggregated forms of beta amyloid including soluble oligomers and insoluble fibrils deposited into the amyloid plaque in the brain of AD patients. Based on pre-clinical and interim Phase 1b data, treatment with aducanumab has been shown to reduce amyloid plaque levels.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and behavioral disturbances that eventually result in a person’s inability to perform daily activities. In 2010, it was estimated that 25 million individuals were living with AD worldwide1. Evidence suggests that pathophysiological changes typically begin years prior to the symptoms that lead to a clinical diagnosis. As the disease progresses, cognitive impairments, behavioral changes and functional disability commonly associated with AD begin to manifest.
About Biogen
Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen discovers, develops and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological, autoimmune and rare diseases. Founded in 1978, Biogen is one of the world’s oldest independent biotechnology companies and patients worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis and innovative hemophilia therapies. For more information, please visit www.biogen.com. Follow us on Twitter.
SOURCE: Biogen
Post Views: 42
