01 Mar 2002

Elan Corporation and American Home Products announced today what everyone already expected: Their phase 2a clinical trial of a vaccine made of synthetic Aβ1-42 has ended prematurely because 15 volunteers developed cerebral inflammation. See stories below on dosing suspension last month.

The company press release states that most of the 15 patients have improved thanks to antiinflammatory treatment, but did not say how many have not responded and how ill they are. The roughly 360 volunteers who have been vaccinated will, of course, be followed further. To date, the company has not publicly explained the nature of the inflammation. See upcoming chat on AD immunotherapy.—Gabrielle Strobel
See full text press release.