Acumen Pharmaceuticals presented extended results from its plasma pTau217 assay used to screen participants in the Phase 2 ALTITUDE-AD trial of its Alzheimer’s drug, sabirnetug. The data, presented at the AD/PD conference and the AAN Annual Meeting, demonstrated the assay’s effectiveness in streamlining participant selection. Additional presentations highlighted research on AβO binding, selectivity assays, and the impact of sabirnetug on synaptic biomarkers.
This efficient screening strategy is crucial for Alzheimer’s research. By reducing reliance on amyloid PET scans and CSF testing, the pTau217 assay minimizes patient burden and accelerates clinical trial timelines. This quicker, less invasive approach to screening allows researchers to focus resources on evaluating sabirnetug’s efficacy and safety, potentially bringing a new treatment option to patients faster. Furthermore, this streamlined process can reduce overall trial costs, making Alzheimer’s research more sustainable and facilitating the development of future therapies.
The pTau217 assay has successfully reduced the need for costly and invasive procedures in the ALTITUDE-AD trial compared to the previous INTERCEPT-AD trial. Research into stable Aβ monomers aims to refine AβO selectivity assays, which are essential for understanding the drug’s mechanism of action. Studies using human iPSC-derived neurons demonstrate sabirnetug’s ability to block AβO binding to synapses. Further research is exploring the binding profiles of sabirnetug and other anti-amyloid antibodies in brain tissue to better understand their selectivity. Finally, data from the Phase 1 INTERCEPT-AD trial, recently published, reveals early effects of sabirnetug on synaptic biomarkers in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
These findings strengthen the development program for sabirnetug as a potential Alzheimer’s therapy. The positive results from the pTau217 screening strategy, combined with ongoing research into the drug’s mechanism and effects on biomarkers, suggest a promising future for sabirnetug. The efficient enrollment enabled by the new assay may accelerate the ALTITUDE-AD trial, leading to quicker insights into the drug’s clinical potential. Further research focusing on AβO interactions and binding profiles could contribute to a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and pave the way for more targeted and effective treatments.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
