[11C]PiB PET neuroimaging exhibits potential for monitoring therapeutics on amyloid beta load during Alzheimer’s disease treatment

Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) today announced that findings from a Phase II study which suggested bapineuzumab reduced amyloid-beta deposits in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients as measured using a neuroimaging technique known as [¹¹C]PiB PET, were published in the February 28, 2010 online edition of Lancet Neurology. Bapineuzumab is a compound under development by Pfizer and Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary in which Elan holds a minority equity interest.

“The potential to use [11C]PiB PET imaging to monitor the effectiveness of potential therapeutics on amyloid beta load during treatment could play a major role in Alzheimer’s research and future clinical trial designs.”

The findings of the study further suggest that it may be possible to assess and monitor the effects of potential therapeutic agents on amyloid-beta deposits in patients with Alzheimer’s disease using this neuroimaging technique.

Patients in the study were randomized to either bapineuzumab treatment or placebo groups. Estimated mean [¹¹C]PiB retention ratio change from baseline to week 78 was -0.09 in the bapineuzumab group and +0.15 in the placebo group. The estimated mean difference in [¹¹C]PiB retention ratio change from baseline to week 78 between the bapineuzumab group and the placebo group was -0.24. Differences between the bapineuzumab group and the placebo group in the individual regions of interest were similar to the overall mean difference.

“We are encouraged by the findings of this study,” said Dr. Menghis Bairu, Chief Medical Officer for Elan. “The potential to use [¹¹C]PiB PET imaging to monitor the effectiveness of potential therapeutics on amyloid beta load during treatment could play a major role in Alzheimer’s research and future clinical trial designs.”

SOURCE Elan Corporation