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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

AB Science : Masitinib as an Adjunct Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

AB Science19 April 2011 - Publication in Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy - AB Science SA (NYSE Euronext - FR0010557264 - AB), a pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and commercialization of protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs), announces the publication of results from the first human phase 2 study of masitinib carried-out in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Entitled, ‘Masitinib as an adjunct therapy for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial’, this article is freely accessible online from BioMed Central's peer-reviewed journal Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy .
  • Phase 2 study establishes proof-of-concept that oral masitinib has potential therapeutic benefits in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease
  • Overall, results add new scientific data to the important question of the potential role of anti inflammatory agents in the management of Alzheimer’s disease
  • AB Science is actively preparing to launch a phase 3 study, pivotal in the process of registration of masitinib in this indication
This randomized placebo-controlled phase 2 trial, conducted by Professor François Piette (Hôpital Charles Foix in Ivry-sur-Seine) and colleagues from 12 study centers across France, investigated the hypothesis that masitinib’s targeted inhibitory action on mast cells may reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. A total of 35 patients were included in this study. Neuroinflammation is thought to be important in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. Mast cells are a key component of the inflammatory network and participate in the regulation of the blood-brain barrier’s permeability. Masitinib, a selective oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, effectively inhibits the survival, migration and activity of mast cells... [PDF] AB Science's Press Release -