AZC3293 is an oral beta secretase cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor. It is being investigated as a treatment for early Alzheimer's disease.
“Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the biggest challenges facing medical science today," AstraZeneca Executive Vice President Menelas Pangalos said. "BACE inhibitors have the potential to target one of the key drivers of disease progression and we are delighted that our combined efforts have resulted in the development of AZD3293 moving into the next phase of study. Disease modifying approaches, such as this, have the potential to transform the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and help patients in this area of large unmet medical need.”
During Phase I of the study, AZD3293 reduced the level of amyloid beta in Alzheimer's disease patients and healthy volunteers. AZD 3293 inhibits BACE, which is implicated in the formation of amyloid plaque. Preventing amyloid plaque formation should slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
In addition to the continuation of the AMARANTH clinical trial from Phase II to Phase III, a new Phase III trial is planned by AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly. DAYBREAK will study AZC3293 in patients affected by mild Alzheimer's dementia. Between 60 percent and 80 percent of dementia patients suffer from Alzheimer's disease.
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