J&J’s novel Alzheimer’s drug fails in key trial, dimming hopes for a hot target

Taking stock of the drug industry, from the lab to the medicine chest

November 24, 2025 Check out STAT+

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By Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer

Evan Vucci/AP STAT+ | J&J's novel Alzheimer's drug fails in key trial, dimming hopes for a hot target The results could cast shadow over other experimental therapies aimed at the protein tau from companies including Biogen, UCB, and Voyager. By Damian Garde and Jason Mast STAT+ | Novo Nordisk's semaglutide fails to slow Alzheimer's progression The drug, the key ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, did not outperform placebo in two trials, studies that had been considered long shots. By Andrew Joseph and Elaine Chen STAT+ | Opinion: Tech-enabled caregiving can help dementia patients stay at home — perhaps for too long We need a new profession dedicated to using technology to monitor and support people living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. By Jason Karlawish

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