Biogen Will Push Alzheimer’s Drug to Phase 3

Biogen Idec Inc. shares rose after the company said its Alzheimer’s drug showed promising early results and will be quickly moved into a final-stage trial.

In a small, early stage trial, Biogen’s drug BIIB037 reduced beta amyloid in the brain, said Doug Williams, executive vice president of research and development, at a Deutsche Bank conference in Boston today. Beta amyloid, a protein fragment that creates plaque tangles in the brain, is thought to be a key component in Alzheimer’s disease.