UK trial for promising new dementia drug Trontinemab
Alzheimer Scotland welcomes the news that a promising new drug is to be offered to people in the UK at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
An NHS trust in England has become only the third site in the world to take part in a groundbreaking clinical trial for the drug Trontinemab.
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting healthy adults aged 55 to 80 from anywhere in the UK to trial the medication.
What makes the trial so unusual is that those chosen to take part must have no memory problems and no dementia diagnosis. They will then take a blood test to check for p-tau217 – a biomarker that can predict cognitive decline and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers will then choose people who are most likely to benefit.
This Phase 3 trial – called the PrevenTRON study – will investigate whether the drug can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Results are expected in 2028.
Our Chief Executive Henry Simmons said:
“This is a very exciting step forward in the development of a new drug that could potentially delay or even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
“For so long, dementia treatment has focused around managing symptoms, while some newer drugs are designed to slow down disease progression in someone who has already received a diagnosis.
“If Trontinemab is shown to be effective in attacking the toxic proteins that can lead to dementia, then this would be truly lifechanging for so many people who could be saved from ever developing symptoms.
“This development could not have come at a more crucial time. New figures have shown that, for the first time, dementia is now the leading cause of death in Scotland, underlining the urgent need for progress in finding effective treatments.
“It is also a reminder of the importance of research investment. Alzheimer Scotland was encouraged to note in Scotland’s new Programme for Government a commitment to drive innovation in health and care and to grow Scotland’s clinical trials capacity to attract more research and investment.
“We hope that leaders across health care, government and industry can join forces to honour this commitment and to keep this positive momentum going.”
