Alzheimer's Research Setback Reported in Monterey, CA: Semagacestat Turns Out To Be A Dud

The search for a cure for Alzheimer's Disease took a step backwards this week. It was reported in the
Monterey Herald that Eli Lilly and Company announced it was stopping development on a potential treatment for
Alzheimer's Disease. Eli Lilly announced 8/17 troubling preliminary results from late-stage studies of semagacestat
(a gamma secretase inhibitor designed to work by blocking an enzyme in the brain that causes the formation of
amyloid which forms plaque on the brain). The drug company found that it did not slow the progression of
Alzheimer's Disease and that, in fact, patients taking the drug fared worse than those on a placebo.
Although this was disappointing, the drug giant emphasized its commitment to finding a cure. Chairman
and CEO John Lechleiter said the company remains motivated to developing new drugs. All of the major drug
companies are racing to find new drugs to bring to market as patents expire on a number of drugs next year which
will make the pills available in generic form, cutting into their profits. Lilly's top seller, Zyprexa, loses patent
protection next year, and it's #2 drug Cymbalta loses patent protection in 2013. In addition, the Federal Courts struck
down patent protection for two other major products from the company recently, Strattera and Gemzar. Patents
covering drugs accounting for three-fourths of current revenue will expire over the next few years so it is scrambling
to come with replacements, and the market for Alzheimer's drugs is expected to be huge. Eli Lilly has eight drugs in
late-stage testing, including one for Alzheimer's (solanezumab). It has nearly 70 more than are in some form of
human testing.
Another related story in the Wall Street Journal said there were unexpected side effects associated with
semagacestat such as an increased risk of skin cancer. The drug was tested on 2,600 mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's
Disease. Unfortunately, when running human trials in search for a cure for a terrible disease like this, there are
almost always some negative effects and drug companies must weigh the risks and benefits before deciding whether
to seek approval from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to bring it to market.
There are a number of studies that are ongoing which show promising new Alzheimer's drugs. Family
inHome Caregiving is proud to be the largest fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association's annual "Memory Walk"
which takes place on October 16 to raise funds for Alzheimer's research. It's a very important event and I urge you to
support it if you can afford to. To track our progress, go to this link.

http://www.montereyherald.com/business/ci_15813400

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100817-705534.html

http://memorywalk.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?
ievent=335908&lis=1&kntae335908=05FA4A847F1B4122A01B90616BCCBA7C&team=3791143