Baxter’s Alzheimer’s disease drug fails in late-stage trial

By Julie Steenhuysen NEW YORK (Reuters) – In a blow for Alzheimer’s patients, Baxter International Inc said it will scrap late-stage trials of its antibody treatment for the disease after the drug failed to improve cognitive decline and functional ability in patients. Baxter’s treatment, known as Gammagard, did show a benefit in some patients with moderate disease and in those who are carriers of a gene known as ApoE4 that raises the risk of Alzheimer’s. The company said it will continue to analyze results in these populations, but more trials would be needed to support the drug’s approval. …