Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) was associated with a 35% reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in studies presented at the plenary session of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting on Sunday.

The controversial approval of Biogen Inc.’s Aduhelm (aducanumab) in June sharply increased the interest in developing a quick, painless method of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Now, more than half a dozen blood-based diagnostic assays are in development and one is commercially available, albeit without FDA clearance.

In 2021, no drug approval garnered as much attention and debate as Biogen Inc.’s Aduhelm (aducanumab). The FDA’s surprise, accelerated approval of Aduhelm for Alzheimer’s disease flew in the face of the recommendation by an advisory committee, causing a stir that included the resignation of three adcom members, along with publicly made claims that the company’s relationship with regulators had become too cozy.

Far from the Groundhog Day spectacle of amyloid-targeting antibodies that do little to nothing for patients in trial after trial, researchers have reported success in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in unexpected ways. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation have discovered that a Viagra prescription was associated with a roughly 70% reduced risk of being diagnosed with AD. And investigators from the University of Washington reported that in the prospective Adult Changes in Thought study, a long-term study into risk and protective factors for dementia, persons who underwent cataract surgery reduced their risk of AD by 30%, an effect that lasted for 10 years after surgery.

Far from the Groundhog Day spectacle of amyloid-targeting antibodies that do little to nothing for patients in trial after trial, researchers have reported success in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in unexpected ways. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation have discovered that a Viagra prescription was associated with a roughly 70% reduced risk of being diagnosed with AD. And investigators from the University of Washington reported that in the prospective Adult Changes in Thought study, a long-term study into risk and protective factors for dementia, persons who underwent cataract surgery reduced their risk of AD by 30%, an effect that lasted for 10 years after surgery.

PARIS – Pcube-Lab BV has closed a $4.75 million funding round to deploy its eye tracking technology, Neuroclues, in Europe and the U.S. This technique helps with early diagnosis of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

A newly developed antibody-based treatment and a protein-based vaccine for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have both been shown to reduce AD symptoms in mouse models of the disease, British and German researchers reported in the November 15, 2021, edition of Molecular Psychiatry.

LONDON – Sosei Heptares is to get $100 million up front in a potential $2.6 billion deal with Neurocrine Biosciences Inc., in which the pair will develop muscarinic receptor agonists in the treatment of schizophrenia, dementia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. San Diego-based Neurocrine is taking rights to a portfolio of small molecules against specific subtypes of the muscarinic receptor family, targeting M1 and M4 alone, plus a dual M1/M4 agonist.

Fujirebio Europe NV launched two new cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-based immunoassays for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) on its Innotest platform. It’s the first product launch for the company following a collaboration agreement signed with Adx Neurosciences NV in September 2020. The assays will test for neuronal pentraxin-2 (NPTX2) and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (STREM2). Both neurology biomarkers are linked to synaptic dysfunction and neuroinflammation which are considered core features of AD progression. Fujirebio said the new tests will support existing research for AD drug development.

LONDON – Sosei Heptares is to get $100 million up front in a potential $2.6 billion deal with Neurocrine Biosciences Inc., in which the pair will develop muscarinic receptor agonists in the treatment of schizophrenia, dementia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. San Diego-based Neurocrine is taking rights to a portfolio of small molecules against specific subtypes of the muscarinic receptor family, targeting M1 and M4 alone, plus a dual M1/M4 agonist.