Pfizer and DiaGenic see positive results in Alzheimer’s detection research

Pfizer and DiaGenic have reported positive initial findings from a study into a potential new method of testing for Alzheimer's disease.

The companies have made progress with a collaborative research and development project which aims to find blood-based biomarkers that may be useful in the early diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease.

Preliminary data from a study of 120 patients – including healthy subjects and those affected by various stages of neurodegeneration – found that the new testing panel could prove an effective means of offering blood-based screening for the disease.

This would have a range of benefits, including better disease prevention, cheaper drug development, faster clinical trial recruitment and reductions in the cost and scale of studies.

Dr Erik Christensen, DiaGenic's chief executive officer, said: "These findings demonstrate the strengths of DiaGenic's technology and expertise within blood-based central nervous system biomarkers."

Earlier this month, Pfizer announced a new alliance with Humana, which will see the organisations researching healthcare treatment options for elderly patients.