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Pfizer ends alzheimer's research

One of the world’s largest drugs companies has announced that it will be stopping research efforts into finding new treatments for Alzheimer’s.

Petri dish

US-based Pfizer made the announcement in January and is expected to cut a total of about 300 jobs globally.

The news follows years of failed drugs trials for Alzheimer’s treatments by the company.

Pfizer will also stop looking for new treatments for Parkinson’s disease. However, it said this will not affect research into drugs for rare neurological diseases.

Dr James Pickett, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It’s disappointing to hear that Pfizer, will be terminating their research efforts in neuroscience, including Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery.

“The brain is the most complex organ in the body and developing drugs to treat brain diseases is a tremendous challenge, but with no new drug for dementia in the last 15 years, this will come as a heavy blow to the estimated 46.8 million people currently living with the condition across the globe.”

A Pfizer statement said: “As a result of a recent comprehensive review, we have made the decision to end our neuroscience discovery and early development efforts.”

It added that the spending would be re-allocated to areas where the company has strong scientific leadership, allowing it to “provide the greatest impact for patients”.

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