Akili Interactive Labs, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) have recently presented at the Clinical Trials for Alzheimer’s disease new encouraging data, which demonstrate that the former’s proprietary technology had found a significant difference between subjects with and without brain amyloidosis— a main biomarker for risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Collaborative Clinical Trial

The proprietary technology had been derived from the patent-pending cognitive measurement tool of Akili Interactive Labs. The platform was developed as a fast-paced video game on a tablet.

Encouragingly, no safety issues had been reported during the clinical trial.

With these latest positive data, Eddie Martucci, Akili Interactive Labs CEO and President, is hopeful about the possibility of devising an early detection method for neurological disorders, especially with the help of strategic collaborations with Pfizer.

“We are encouraged by the results of this trial, and we look forward to exploring ways that we might be able to implement innovative new technologies like the Akili platform into the clinical trial process,” noted Ole Isacson, Pfizer Neuroscience Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Senior Vice President (SVP).

Further data from this non-exclusive, collaborative clinical trial are expected to be released soon.

Over five million patients in the US suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia and the sixth most common cause of death with absolutely no existing treatment as of the moment.

Advancing Science through Pfizer Investigator Research Exchange (ASPIRE) Expansion

In other news, Pfizer has revealed last week that it will expand the ASPIRE program next year, awarding up to $5.50 million in competitive grants for clinical development programs involving its products in breast cancer and hematologic cancer. As part of the expansion, the program has been rebranded as the ASPIRE Oncology/Hematology Clinical Research Awards.

With this move, Pfizer seeks to strengthen its grants program for investigator-initiated research and development (R&D) efforts geared towards cancer treatment and improved patient care.

On Monday, Pfizer closed at $32.40, up by 2.21%.