Amgen, Novartis and Banner Alzheimer’s Institute have decided to discontinue investigation of the BACE1 inhibitor CNP520 (umibecestat) in two Phase II/III studies in the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative Generation Program. An assessment of data during a pre-planned review identified worsening in some measures of cognitive function. The sponsors concluded that the potential benefit for participants in the studies did not outweigh the risk.

The Generation Program was designed to research the safety and efficacy of CNP520 for the prevention or delay of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in people at high risk for developing symptoms based on age and their genetic status.

“Our team joins the millions whose lives are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease in our disappointment that the Generation Program did not yield a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease prevention,” said David Reese, M.D., executive vice president of R&D at Amgen. “We still believe amyloid plays an important but complex role in Alzheimer’s disease. Although the outcomes of the research program did not lead to the results we aimed for, we are committed to sharing our findings to help advance the medical and scientific community one step further toward finding a prevention for this devastating disease.”