Biogen released a statement on March 20th claiming that an experimental cure is in the works for Alzheimer’s Disease. The news was well received by many American households as there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s in America as of 2014.
After the study, involving 166 patients with minimal to mild Alzheimer’s, was presented in a meeting in France on the 20th, the nods of approval went a long way, all the way to NASDAQ. Biogen’s share price rose 9.8% to $475.98 at the close of regular trading on Friday. This added a whopping 10 billion dollars to the company’s total market value. Around mid-day, shares had hit $480.18, the highest value for the stock since the company began.
The increase in market value for Biogen shares made promises of what the future of the study holds for Alzheimer’s patients as well as for share holders of Biogen.
The relevance of this particular study is the dialogue that it opens up about the ‘amyloid hypothesis’. Albeit controversial, Biogen has led by example to prove its competitors wrong insofar as using this particular hypothesis to further their research for a possible cure. An immunological approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease, the new drug has shown, can work regardless of its past failiures. Hence, the passive immune therapy approach, to defer the progress of the disease, that has thus far failed due to poor scientific planning is Biogen’s trump card: BIIB037.
The drug does not prove the amyloid hypothesis, but it does add more to the conversation and provides more proof to support that the amyloid hypothesis might have more merit than originally anticipated when creating with a drug for the disease.
The next step for Biogen, however, remains risky as Aducanumab or BIIB037 is not a fool-proof solution to the Alzheimer’s problem. If this drug can positively reduce plaque build up in the brain from the protein called amyloid beta and slow cognitive decline in not just the 166 patients from the study, but in a larger study, then it is possible for Biogen to have opened the door to more research into a reversal drug.
Although it is a huge stride for Biogen, it will only be fully flourished if Biogen is able to prove in its Phase 3, a larger study with 1000 patients that the drug still holds ground. Critics are sceptical and rightly so as in past studies drugs that have targeted the amyloid beta have not been successful in larger trials. Furthermore, even if the hypothesis and the drug prove to be the next new hit, it is not without its problems. Side effects ranging from amyloid-related imaging abnormalities or ARIAs to headaches are going to be yet another hurdle to cross before BIIB037 can become the go-to drug for Alzheimer’s treatment.
The effectiveness of the Alzheimer’s drug could drive the stocks higher, but lack thereof could result in a crushing blow to the company’s current high. Biogen’s success, therefore, might simply be a momentary success both monetarily and medically.
Biogen’s Dr. Sandrock, however, remains hopeful, “We’re very excited by the findings,” she said, “We think it could result in a very important disease-modifying therapy for patients.”
Will BIIB037 be successful in yet another clinical trial with more patients? What do you think?
Let us know what you think in the comments below!
You can find more facts on Alzheimer’s Disease and the latest research at Alzheimer’s Association
