Overview of two decades of research to be presented, including development of gantenerumab
Detailed results from phase II study evaluating crenezumab in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease
Data around biomarker selection for the Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel, a blood-based biomarker test to aid in the detection of people with amyloid pathology, recently granted FDA Breakthrough Device Designation
Basel, 28 July 2022 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced that data from 41 abstracts across its portfolio of Alzheimer’s disease pharmaceuticals and diagnostics will be presented at the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), which will be held in San Diego 31 July -4 August. Among the data are new presentations on Roche’s investigational subcutaneously administered anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody gantenerumab and the Elecsys® Amyloid Plasma Panel. Additionally, detailed results from the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease (API ADAD) Trial evaluating the investigational monoclonal antibody crenezumab will be presented to inform future Alzheimer’s prevention research.
“Following the science represents the foundation of our company. Our work in Alzheimer’s disease over the past 20 years has helped to transform disease understanding and ongoing approaches to clinical research,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. “We are pleased to bring a strong scientific presence to this year’s meeting and we look forward to sharing our learnings in Alzheimer’s biology, diagnosis, and treatment with the broader community.”
Gantenerumab data underscore long-term commitment to advancing Alzheimer’s therapeutic research
The history of gantenerumab’s clinical development will be presented during an AAIC Scientific Session on Wednesday, 3 August at 8:00 a.m. PT. This will include:
How the needs of people living with Alzheimer's disease informed the design of current gantenerumab clinical studies and key learnings regarding treatment exposure, target population, enrichment strategies and ARIA management.
Future development plans, including opportunities to offer greater flexibility of treatment administration to meet the needs of people living with Alzheimer’s.
Opportunities to address barriers to inclusive research and equitable access.
The Phase III GRADUATE programme in early Alzheimer’s disease includes two global, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials, GRADUATE I and II. Data will be available in Q4, 2022; topline results will be presented at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Conference on Wednesday, 30 November, 2022.
Crenezumab data advance understanding of prevention efforts for autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s
Detailed results from the phase II Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease (API ADAD) Trial will be presented. The trial did not demonstrate a statistically significant clinical benefit in either of its co-primary endpoints, evaluating crenezumab’s ability to slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease in people with a specific genetic mutation after five to eight years of treatment compared with placebo. Data will be featured in the AAIC News Briefing on Tuesday, 2 August at 7:00 a.m. PT followed by a Scientific Session at 8:00 a.m. PT. Researchers will discuss the trial’s design, clinical outcomes, brain imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker findings.
Diagnostics continues to drive innovation in improving timely diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
Study results leading to the selection of blood based biomarkers used in the Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel, a test with the potential to aid in the detection of people with amyloid pathology, will be presented on Tuesday, 2 August. The Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel, which was recently granted FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, has the potential to better direct individuals towards a confirmatory Alzheimer’s diagnosis, either with amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing, where appropriate.
Data presentations across Roche’s Alzheimer’s disease portfolio
About Roche in Alzheimer’s disease
With over two decades of scientific research in Alzheimer’s, Roche is working towards a day when we can detect the disease early and stop its progression to preserve what makes people who they are. Today, the company’s Alzheimer’s portfolio spans investigational medicines for different targets, types and stages of the disease. It also includes diagnostic tools, including digital, blood-based and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests, aiming to more effectively detect, diagnose, and monitor the disease. Yet the global challenges of Alzheimer’s go well beyond the capabilities of science, and making a meaningful impact requires collaboration both within the Alzheimer’s community and outside of healthcare. Roche will continue to work together with numerous partners with the hope of transforming millions of lives.
About gantenerumab
Gantenerumab is a fully-human monoclonal IgG1 antibody, an investigational medicine that is subcutaneously administered and designed to target and bind to aggregated forms of beta-amyloid and activate immune cells in the brain (microglia) to clear amyloid plaques and prevent further accumulation.
Gantenerumab is currently being investigated in eight clinical trials, including:
GRADUATE I and II, two Phase III studies investigating the efficacy and safety of gantenerumab compared with placebo in up to 1000 participants per study who have early Alzheimer’s over 27 months. Results are expected in Q4, 2022.
GRADUATION, an open-label study to evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects of once weekly administration in participants with early Alzheimer’s.
Post-GRADUATE, a rollover open-label study for GRADUATE I and II to continue assessing the efficacy and safety of gantenerumab in participants with early AD.
Open RoAD, a rollover open-label study for the former SCarlet RoAD and Marguerite RoAD OLEs to continue to evaluate the safety and tolerability of long-term administration of gantenerumab in participants with Alzheimer’s.
DIAN-TU-002 Primary Prevention, an investigator-initiated study evaluating whether Alzheimer’s can be prevented in people with a genetic predisposition to developing rare, early-onset forms of the disease called Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’s disease (ADAD). Unlike most Alzheimer’s prevention studies, it enrols people up to 25 years before the disease has started in the brain.
DIAN-TU-001 OLE, an exploratory extension study in people with ADAD who presented with or were close to the expected symptoms of Alzheimer’s at baseline of the double-blind study, aiming to further investigate the relationship of biomarker changes with cognitive and clinical findings.
SKYLINE, a Phase III secondary prevention trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gantenerumab in participants at risk for or at the earliest stages of Alzheimer's.
About crenezumab
Crenezumab is an investigational, monoclonal antibody designed to neutralise neurotoxic oligomers, a form of beta-amyloid. Crenezumab has an antibody backbone (IgG4) designed to minimise the inflammatory response in the brain, which may result in a lower risk of certain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) abnormalities known as ARIA (Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities). The investigational medicine is being developed by Genentech and is part of a collaboration with AC Immune SA.
About semorinemab
Semorinemab is an investigational monoclonal anti-tau antibody that targets the N-terminal portion of the tau protein, and is designed to bind to tau and slow its spread between neurons. In tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s, tau misfolds and forms tangles, which cause cell damage and ultimately neuronal death. It is hypothesised that abnormal tau protein then spreads between neurons, gradually involving more areas of the brain, and leading to clinical disease progression. Tau-targeting antibody therapies are designed to slow or stop this process of tau spread. The investigational medicine is being developed by Genentech and is part of a collaboration with AC Immune SA.
About the Elecsys® Amyloid Plasma Panel
The Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel measures phosphorylated Tau (pTau) 181 protein assay and apolipoprotein (APOE) E4 assay in human blood plasma. Elevations in pTau occur in early stages of Alzheimer’s, while the presence of APOE E4 constitutes the most common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The result is intended for consideration in conjunction with other clinical information to advise physicians on whether there is a need for further confirmatory testing for Alzheimer’s disease with amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing. Individuals testing negative with the Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel are unlikely to be amyloid positive and should be investigated for other causes of cognitive decline.
About Roche in neuroscience
Neuroscience is a major focus of research and development at Roche. Our goal is to pursue groundbreaking science to develop new treatments that help improve the lives of people with chronic and potentially devastating diseases.
Roche has approved and investigational medicines across multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, myasthenia gravis, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Together with our partners, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding to solve some of the most difficult challenges in neuroscience today.
About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.
Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.
Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the twelfth consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).
The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2020 employed more than 100,000 people worldwide. In 2020, Roche invested CHF 12.2 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 58.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan