New Drug Candidate for Alzheimer’s Disease to Enter Phase 1 Trials

The investigational drug candidate E2814, designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, will enter phase 1 clinical trials in early 2019.

A monoclonal antibody, E2814 targets tau “seeds” believed to spread to different areas of the brain and form neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein, and is intended to prevent further build-up of the tangles, thus slowing the course of the disease. 

The drug candidate was discovered through the research collaboration between Eisai, Inc. and University College London (UCL). "Significant unmet medical needs exist for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease due to a lack of effective treatments that can prevent disease progression," said Teiji Kimura, Chief Discovery Officer of the Eisai Neurology Business Group. "By combining the knowledge of UCL, which conducts world-class research into neurodegenerative disorders and is the operational hub of the UK Dementia Research Institute, together with the knowledge of Eisai, which possesses a rich pipeline for dementia treatments, we are doing our utmost to link the results of joint research, starting with E2814, to new medicines in order to contribute to patients who are awaiting curative therapies as soon as possible.”