Japan-based Eisai in collaboration with University College London (UCL) is planning to start Phase I clinical trials of its first investigational drug candidate, E2814, for Alzheimer's disease in early 2019, it was reported yesterday.

The product is an anti-tau monoclonal antibody set to be tested in human trials for the first time to evaluate its ability to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. It is designed to target the tau 'seeds', preventing further build-up of neurofibrillary tangles and thus may slow the course of the disease.

The research collaboration, agreed in 2012 for an initial period of six years, has been extended for a further five years to 2023. It was established as part of Eisai's Open Innovation strategy to collaborate with leading researchers in order to translate new research findings into innovative treatments for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. E2814 is one product from a portfolio of projects established during the first phase of the collaboration with UCL.