Arrowhead reports 73% average CSF tau reduction in early Alzheimer’s drug trial

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals disclosed interim Phase 1/2a data for its RNAi therapeutic ARO‑MAPT, showing a mean 73% reduction in cerebrospinal‑fluid total tau at Day 105 in healthy volunteers, with a maximum individual drop of 85% after a 12.8 mg/kg dose. The drug was generally well tolerated, with only mild adverse events and no serious safety issues. The company will discuss additional results in a webinar and continues enrollment in early Alzheimer’s cohorts, with further data expected in 2027.

The data triggered a pre‑market rally in Arrowhead stock, which rose 8.4% to $63 from $58.13, reflecting investor optimism about the platform’s first‑ever clinical validation for crossing the blood‑brain barrier. The price move may affect short‑term trading and valuation models that incorporate clinical milestones.

  • 1Mean cerebrospinal‑fluid total tau reduction of 73% at Day 105 in healthy volunteers.
  • 2Maximum individual tau reduction of 85% at Day 105.
  • 3Highest tested dose was 12.8 mg/kg administered on Days 1 and 15.
  • 4No serious adverse events, deaths, or treatment discontinuations were reported.
  • 5Arrowhead stock rose 8.4% in pre‑market trading, trading at $63 versus a prior close of $58.13.

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