Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54.

An interim look at an Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial evaluating an amyloid-targeting treatment from ProMIS Neurosciences showed low rates of brain bleeding and no incidences of brain swelling — results reported Tuesday that suggest the drug could be safer than approved treatments. 

In a blinded analysis that pooled safety data from patients receiving the ProMIS drug and a placebo, the total rate of ARIA was 4.4%, with all cases mild and asymptomatic, the company said. 

None of the patients experienced ARIA-E, which is the more severe side effect that causes brain swelling. All the cases were characterized as ARIA-H, which involves tiny bleeds in the brain. 

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   Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54.