UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, announced the presentation of eight scientific abstracts highlighting its innovative neurodegeneration research programs at the AD/PD 2025 meeting in Vienna, Austria, April 1-4, 2025. The presentations, including three late-breaker oral presentations, showcase the company's ongoing commitment to developing treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
"We are excited to present data on many aspects of our science and patient-driven neurodegeneration research program at AD/PD, highlighting promising insights into the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease," said Alistair Henry, Chief Scientific Officer at UCB. "The findings represent an important step forward in our efforts to develop effective treatments, bringing us closer to addressing these devastating neurodegenerative conditions."
Bepranemab Shows Promise in Alzheimer's Disease
A key highlight of UCB's presentations includes subgroup analysis data from the TOGETHER Phase 2a trial investigating bepranemab, an investigational anti-tau antibody targeting the mid-region epitope of the tau protein. Topline results from this trial, released in October 2024, provided the first evidence for clinical efficacy of anti-tau therapy in Alzheimer's disease.
The TOGETHER trial was designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study of bepranemab in patients with prodromal-mild Alzheimer's disease. In addition to the subgroup analysis, researchers presented safety MRI and volumetric MRI results from the study, offering further insights into the drug's mechanism of action and potential benefits.
Multi-faceted Approach to Parkinson's Disease
UCB's Parkinson's disease research program employs a dual strategy: targeting underlying disease mechanisms while also developing therapies for symptom control. The company recognizes the diverse needs of patients throughout their disease trajectory and is advancing multiple therapeutic approaches.
One promising candidate is UCB7853, an anti-alpha-synuclein antibody currently under investigation for preventing extracellular alpha-synuclein spread, a process believed to underlie the progression of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. At AD/PD 2025, researchers presented both preclinical evaluation data and Phase I study results demonstrating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of UCB7853 in healthy participants and people with Parkinson's disease.
Another significant asset in UCB's portfolio is glovadalen (UCB0022), an orally available, brain-penetrant, small molecule designed as a selective, positive allosteric modulator of the D1 receptor (D1 PAM). This compound aims to enhance the potency of dopamine "when and where needed" to activate the dopamine D1 receptor and thereby improve symptom control. The ATLANTIS Phase II study design for glovadalen in advanced Parkinson's disease was presented, highlighting UCB's patient-informed approach to clinical trial development.
ORCHESTRA Trial Results for Minzasolmin
The AD/PD presentations also included results from the ORCHESTRA trial, a Phase II proof-of-concept study assessing the efficacy and safety of minzasolmin in people with early-stage Parkinson's disease. UCB had previously announced that this study did not meet its primary or secondary clinical endpoints, underscoring the challenges in developing effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Patient-Centered Research Approach
Beyond specific drug candidates, UCB presented research focused on understanding patient experiences and developing more meaningful clinical endpoints. Two notable presentations addressed:
- The first qualitative assessment of the clinical meaningfulness of MDS-UPDRS Part III in early-stage Parkinson's disease
- A qualitative patient experience study of advanced Parkinson's disease, presenting a conceptual model of symptoms and health-related quality of life impacts
These studies reflect UCB's commitment to incorporating patient perspectives into drug development and clinical trial design, potentially leading to more relevant outcome measures and treatment approaches.
Safety and Regulatory Status
UCB emphasized that the safety and efficacy of bepranemab, minzasolmin, glovadalen, and UCB7853 have not been established, and these compounds are not currently approved for use by any regulatory authority worldwide. This transparency highlights the investigational nature of these treatments while maintaining appropriate scientific caution about their potential benefits.
The presentations at AD/PD 2025 demonstrate UCB's comprehensive approach to neurodegenerative disease research, combining innovative drug development with patient-centered methodologies to address both disease mechanisms and symptom management in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.