This year, the AD/PD international conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and related neurological disorders took place from 1-5 April in Vienna, Austria. This conference remains at the forefront of unravelling the mechanisms and improving the treatment of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other related neurodegenerative diseases. Among the highlights were the presentations from Roche, a leading biotechnology company, showcasing novel advancements in both therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). First, the company shared new data on trontinemab, a drug currently being studied in the ongoing Phase Ib/IIa Brainshuttle AD study. The preliminary results showed that trontinemab demonstrated dose-dependent rapid amyloid depletion from the brain, as measured by amyloid positron emission tomography (PET).
These data were reinforced by early and significant reductions in fluid biomarkers of AD, including total tau, phosphorylated Tau (pTau)181, pTau217 and neurogranin measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. The safety and tolerability profile of trontinemab remains favourable. Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities-edema/effusion (ARIA-E) were observed in <5% of participants, which were radiographically mild. In addition to the trontinemab update, Roche presented data on the Elecsys pTau181 plasma test, a minimally invasive blood test that measures pTau181 protein in plasma. Data on the plasma test demonstrated its potential to accurately rule out amyloid pathology in people with cognitive impairment. Finally, Roche announced the initiation of a Phase III programme for trontinemab, which is expected later this year.