Trontinemab, a new monoclonal antibody treatment for Alzheimer’s, has removed brain plaques in 90% of trial participants within 28 weeks, according to phase 2 trial data.
The findings were disclosed at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto and indicate the drug works significantly faster than existing medications. Trontinemab was developed to cross the blood–brain barrier and minimise adverse reactions, experts describe the results as a potential breakthrough.
Superior Plaque Removal Performance Compared to Existing Alzheimer’s Drugs
The phase 2 trial revealed that trontinemab clears amyloid plaques faster than any currently licensed Alzheimer’s drug. Ninety percent of participants achieved this within 28 weeks, whereas comparable results with lecanemab or donanemab take significantly longer.
Prof Sir John Hardy said: “It sucks the plaque out of the brain really quickly, much faster than we have seen with lecanemab or donanemab.”
Strong Safety Profile and Simplified Dosing Regimen
Equally significant is trontinemab’s safety profile. In trials involving 149 patients, fewer than 5% experienced amyloid-related imaging abnormalities—a common side effect of similar therapies—and all cases resolved without complications. Unlike existing drugs that often demand rigorous MRI monitoring, trontinemab requires fewer scans due to its lower side-effect risk.
Patients receive monthly infusions for six months, followed by quarterly doses, making it more manageable both clinically and financially.
“These results show it is much faster and safer than previous drugs, which means less monitoring. That brings down the cost significantly, it means fewer MRI scans, so that would surely mean it would get Nice (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) approval,” said Prof Hardy.
Cost Efficiency Opens Door for NHS-Funded Alzheimer’s Treatment
The drug’s cost-effective profile is especially significant in public health systems like the UK’s NHS, where expensive and high-maintenance treatments have so far been out of reach. Trontinemab could become the first NHS-funded Alzheimer’s drug, with lower delivery costs and reduced need for monitoring.
“That brings down the cost significantly… so that would surely mean it would get NICE approval,” Hardy noted. If approved, it could represent a new era in scalable Alzheimer’s care—offering accessible treatment for large populations.
Phase 3 Trials Focus on Early Intervention and Dementia Prevention
Currently, an 18-month phase 3 trial is underway involving 1,600 patients to confirm whether trontinemab can improve memory, thinking, and overall quality of life. A separate trial will investigate its potential as a preventative measure in asymptomatic individuals, similar to how statins are used for heart disease.
“We hope that if we can use these drugs to people early, we can halt the progression of disease, even before people have symptoms,” said Prof Hardy. Levi Garraway, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer, echoed this ambition:
“With plans for phase three trials in both early symptomatic and preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, we are advancing science with the goal of delaying – and ultimately preventing – progression of this devastating condition.”
Researchers Call for Validation Through Larger Trials
Health experts stress the need for further data. Prof Jonathan Schott, Chief Medical Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, expressed measured optimism. “Evidence presented… is very promising, showing that the drug can effectively and rapidly clear amyloid from the brain, seemingly with very few side effects.”
“We now need to see whether these early stage results carry through to later stage clinical trials… These trials will show whether the drug is not only safe, but impacts on memory, thinking and quality of life.”