Third phase tests of Alzheimer's drug due

INDIANAPOLIS, May 21 (UPI) -- The Eli Lilly and Co. of Indianapolis said Thursday it is set to begin the third phase of testing for its new Alzheimer's drug.

The company confirmed it is set to begin patient enrollment this month for Phase III clinical trials of its experimental Alzheimer's medication, solanezumab, The Indianapolis Star said.

Dr. Eric Siemers, medical director for the company's research into the degenerative disease, said in a news release the medical tests are focused on a medication that could help slow the spread of Alzheimer's.

"Current therapies available to treat Alzheimer's disease may help with symptoms, but they haven't been proven to change the disease progression," Siemers said. "Biomarker results from a Phase II solanezumab trial give us hope that Lilly is on a path toward a treatment that may slow the rate of progression of Alzheimer's disease."

The Star said the third phase trials will likely include the participation of 2,000 patients of at least 55 years of age from 16 countries.