Forest will conduct a Phase II/III study of Alzheimer's disease agent neramexane as monotherapy despite failing to demonstrate efficacy in combination use.

Neramexane failed to show efficacy as combo therapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors compared to an AChEI alone for treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's in a Phase III trial, Forest said.

Neramexane did not meet the primary endpoints of cognition and function in the 415-patient, six-month trial. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist also failed to meet the secondary endpoint of the Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change Plus Caregiver Input.

Forest currently markets the NMDA receptor agonist Namenda (memantine) which is indicated for monotherapeutic treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease. About 10% of the use for Namenda is for mild-to-moderate cases (¹ Also see "Forest Namenda Has 10% Off-Label Use Based On Initial Launch Data" - Pink Sheet, 20 April, 2004.).

- Andrew Kasper

Forest To Test Alzheimer’s Drug Neramexane As Monotherapy in Phase II/III Trial

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