Good message for patients with Alzheimer's disease – Uppsala

About 100,000 people in Sweden are suffering from Alzheimer's disease – and now a solution may be en route to those who have suffered.

The magazine has already noted a research project near the University of Uppsala 20 years in order to find a drug

– The idea was born in 1999 when we have studied a family in Upper Norrland with a particular mutation, which we called the mutation of the Arctic. We developed an antibody, then it was humanized by a company that I and a colleague founded 15 years ago. The company is named after this mutation, BioArctic. And now, it seems like it seems to work against Alzheimer's disease, says initiator Lars Lannfelt, professor and doctor of geriatrics at the University of Uppsala

READ THE FOLLOWING: Antibodies tested against Alzheimer's

Since 2007 In the last test, a global phase 2b study, a total of 856 patients from Sweden, seven countries from Europe, United States and Canada, Japan and South Korea participated. In Sweden, the University Hospital, Malmö University Hospital and the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg participated

in the study, which was conducted in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Japanese Eisai, patients were treated for 18 months. It shows that the antibody, BAN2401, reduces and inhibits the development of disease in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease

– The field has not had such results before, but that 39 is the first time that robust results have been noted in a major study, says Lars Lannfelt

– it's very entertaining. This is promising for patients and loved ones. And important for the University of Uppsala and for me personally and for all involved researchers, who have been very numerous over the years, he continues

What's going on now?

– We will go with Eisai to develop this. These are solid data. But the evidence will come only after a successful phase 3 study. After that, the drug can be approved, and that is what we hope.

What would it mean for research?

– It would be a big step forward. It has been very difficult to develop drugs for Alzheimer's disease. What we hope is that we can slow down the process, and the more you can curb, the better.

Several drug companies have been trying to develop drugs or vaccines against Alzheimer's disease over the years. Today, there is no treatment, but some medications can relieve symptoms a little.