Alzheimer's disease drug pipeline
- ICD-11 8A20
- MeSH D000544
Subtypes: Agitation in Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's disease psychosis
7 compounds from 4 companies are in active clinical development for alzheimer's disease.
- Phase 2 5
- Discontinued 2
Mechanisms: Small molecule (4) · Biologic (3)
Pipeline data compiled July 2026 · every fact sourced.
Upcoming readouts & recent results
Phase 2b ReTain (NCT06544616): primary completion estimated 22 Dec 2026 (ClinicalTrials.gov); timing may shift given the Feb-2026 recruitment pause. ↗
Phase 2 topline efficacy/safety of MK-1167 (vs placebo) on cognition in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease dementia (MK-1167-008) ↗
Anticipated Phase 2 topline for ITI-1284 in psychosis associated with Alzheimer's disease (NCT06540833); primary completion targeted September 2027. ↗
ClinicalTrials.gov estimated primary completion of the Phase 2 SPRING trial (NCT06847321) of LHP588 25 mg and 50 mg vs placebo in P. gingivalis-positive mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease: January 2029 (estimated study completion 2029-03-15). ↗
Anticipated Phase 2 readout in early Alzheimer's disease: change in tau PET SUVr (primary), per estimated primary completion April 2029. ↗
AuTonomy Phase 2b full results (AD/PD 2026): posdinemab missed the primary iADRS endpoint - no significant difference for either dose vs placebo at week 104; key secondaries also negative; tau-PET suggested slowed neurofibrillary-tangle accumulation. Program discontinued. ↗
Phase 2b ReTain (NCT06544616): Janssen temporarily paused recruitment (17 Feb 2026); voluntary, not safety-related, pre-specified interim immunogenicity threshold met; dosing/follow-up of enrolled participants continues. ↗
Phase 1 first-in-human MK-2214 data at CTAD 2025: favorable safety/PK and CSF pS413 tau reductions consistent with near-saturating target engagement; FDA Fast Track granted. ↗
Phase 1 healthy-volunteer biomarker data: single doses of MK-1167 modulate prefrontal-cortex glutamate metabolism measured by 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (presented at CTAD 2025) ↗
Compounds in development (7)
| Compound | Company | Phase | Status | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITI-1284 (deulumateperone) | Johnson & Johnson | Phase 2 | Recruiting | 5-HT2A Antagonist |
| JNJ-2056 (ACI-35.030)Fast Track | Johnson & Johnson | Phase 2 | Active | Tau (pT217) Agonist |
| LHP588 | Lighthouse Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Phase 2 | Recruiting | Lysine-gingipain (Kgp) Inhibitor |
| MK-1167 | Merck & Co., Inc. | Phase 2 | Active | alpha7 nAChR PAM |
| MK-2214Fast Track | Merck & Co., Inc. | Phase 2 | Recruiting | Tau (pT217) Inhibitor |
| Atuzaginstat (COR388) | Cortexyme, Inc. (now Quince Therapeutics, Inc.) | Discontinued | Discontinued | Kgp Inhibitor |
| PosdinemabFast Track | Johnson & Johnson | Discontinued | Discontinued | Tau (pT217) Inhibitor |
Also in development for subtypes of Alzheimer's disease
- RemlifanserinPhase 3ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.for Alzheimer's disease psychosis
- ML-007C-MAPhase 2MapLight Therapeutics, Inc.for Alzheimer's disease psychosis
- AXS-05 (dextromethorphan-bupropion)ApprovedAxsome Therapeutics, Inc.for Agitation in Alzheimer's disease
- Dexmedetomidine sublingual film (BXCL501)Phase 3BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc.for Agitation in Alzheimer's disease
- ITI-1284 (deulumateperone)Phase 2Johnson & Johnsonfor Agitation in Alzheimer's disease
- NMRA-511Phase 1Neumora Therapeutics, Inc.for Agitation in Alzheimer's disease
Trials recruiting now (151)
151 drug-interventional alzheimer's disease trials recruiting now, of 1,537 registered interventional trials. Browse all on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Donanemab, Placebo
Ginkgo Biloba Extract 240 mg, Placebo
Zunveyl®
- Phase 4Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Lecanemab in Alzheimer's Disease Through Multi-omics Approachs
Lecanemab 10 mg/kg, Conventional anti-dementia treatment group
cholinesterase inhibitors (CI) (donepezil, galantamine or rivastigmine)
Daridorexant 50 mg, Placebo
GV-971, Placebo
- Phase 4Aβ Dynamics in LLMD
Escitalopram Oxalate, Placebo
Gabapentin Enacarbil, Placebo Oral Tablet
GV1001 Placebo, GV1001 1.12mg
MLC 901, Placebo
Placebo, Masitinib (4.5), Standard of care
Showing the 12 most advanced of 151 recruiting drug trials · see all on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Frequently asked
- How many drugs are in development for alzheimer's disease?
- 7 compounds from 4 companies are in active clinical development for alzheimer's disease.
- What are the next alzheimer's disease trial readouts?
- Upcoming catalysts include JNJ-2056 (ACI-35.030) (By end-2026), MK-1167 (2H 2026), ITI-1284 (deulumateperone) (2H 2027) and LHP588 (January 2029).
- How many clinical trials are recruiting for alzheimer's disease?
- 151 drug-interventional alzheimer's disease trials are currently recruiting participants, out of 1,537 registered interventional trials.