It is estimated that in excess of 300, 000 patients are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease annually in the United States. Biohorizon assigns Alzheimer’s disease a value of 33/100 for the Burden of Illness variable.

Current approved therapies for Alzheimer’s include Aricept® and Namenda®. Biohorizon is following 43 emerging drug therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Seven of these therapies are in Phase III or beyond in their development. Neurochem contends that Alzhemed is a novel small molecule part of a new class of therapies that it calls ‘GAG (glycosaminoglycan) mimetics’. Glycosaminonglycans are thought to play a role in the formation of amyloid plaques. In theory, interrupting the assembly of these plaques could alter the clinical course of disease. This unique approach earns Alzhemed an Innovation score of 75/100.

If approved, Alzhemed would represent a first in class therapy for a common, chronic disease. We see potentially significant demand and diffusion pressures, but at this time have assigned a 10/100 score to the Predicted Demand/Diffusion variable. Overall, Alzhemed is placed in Biohorizon’s Moderate Impact Technology category with an Impact Score of 51/100. We do not recommend any preliminary assessment activities for our health services clients at this time; however, favorable Phase III results could dramatically alter this position.

Technology Details
Target Disease / Indication: Alzheimer’s Disease
Technology Classification: Drug
Body System: Nervous System
Program Area: Medicine/Neurology
Regulatory Status: Phase III
BioHorizon Impact Score: 51/100 – Moderate