No new Alzheimer's indication for Avandia

-FiercePharma

07/13/2009 - Poor Avandia. The GlaxoSmithKline drug failed an Alzheimer's disease trial, dashing the company's hopes of a new indication and up to $300 million in additional sales. "We saw no efficacy in this study, or the two adjunct trials," Michael Gold, Glaxo's vice president of neurosciences, told Bloomberg. "There is no evidence that it works. That doesn't mean we shouldn't think about other molecules."

Why Avandia, anyway? Patients with Alzheimer's disease have problems with insulin function in their brains. Some previous research hinted that Avandia might boost mental function in certain Alzheimer's patients. But in a head-to-head study pitting Avandia against Eisai's established treatment, the Aricept patients performed better on functional tests.

Scientists aren't ready to give up on the insulin route to Alzheimer's treatment. But Avandia, at least, won't benefit. And of course, the Glaxo drug could use a proverbial shot in the arm. Sales haven't bounced back since that May 2007 study linked Avandia to heart attacks.

If you or a loved one have experienced an Avandia heart attack, or Avandia stroke, Avandia congestive heart failure, Avandia cardiovascular disease or if you have lost a loved one to an Avandia death you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Avandia attorneys of Ennis & Ennis today for a free confidential case evaluation. Our on staff nurse and lawyers are standing by to answer any questions you may have regarding Avandia's side effects, a possible Avandia class action lawsuit, or any other type of Avandia litigation.