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Donate NowAlzheimer’s Disease Drug Development Pipeline is Growing in Size, Number and Variety
— Year-over-year and 10-year data show more drugs that target more aspects of the disease are being tested in more trials, providing a “basis for optimism” —
CHICAGO, May 5, 2026 — Compared to a decade ago, there are substantially more drugs (+35%) being tested for Alzheimer’s disease in more clinical trials (+40%) targeting a greater number of aspects of the disease, according to a new analysis of Alzheimer’s disease drug development as reflected in clinical trials registered on clinicaltrials.gov.“The current drug development pipeline provides the basis for optimism regarding the emergence of new therapies for patients with Alzheimer’s. There are a robust number of trials, and agents in trials target a variety of disease processes,” said Jeffrey L. Cummings, M.D., ScD, Joy Chambers-Grundy Professor of Brain Science, Department of Brain Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas and lead author of the paper. “This reflects our improved understanding of the biology of Alzheimer’s and the success of developing disease targeted therapies — starting with the anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies.”
“Alzheimer’s is no longer an untreatable disease. It is now a disease with treatments that successfully interfere in the disease process,” he said. “Progress is also evident in clinical trial design, integration of biomarkers into trials, and emergence of promising candidate therapies. Biomarkers are increasingly used for trial eligibility as well as being integrated as trial outcomes.”
“Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Development Pipeline: 2026” was published today by Alzheimer’s and Dementia®: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions (A&D: TRCI), a journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. Cummings and colleagues’ annual review of the Alzheimer’s drug development pipeline began in 2016. The Index Date for this newly published review is January 1, 2026.
Looking at the most active areas of drug development revealed that the Alzheimer’s drug pipeline has become significantly more diverse. For example, over the last 10 years, the percentage of the pipeline devoted to:
- Inflammation/immune dysfunction has increased from 6% to approximately 20%.
- Tau targeted agents have increased from 6% to approximately 20%.
- Amyloid targeted agents have decreased from 33% to approximately 20%.
The researchers identified 192 clinical trials for Alzheimer’s assessing 158 drugs. This included 54 trials assessing 36 drugs in Phase 3; 89 trials assessing 84 drugs in Phase 2; and 49 trials assessing 45 drugs in Phase 1.
- The 192 clinical trials and 158 novel agents in 2026 expand on the 182 clinical trials assessing 138 drugs in the 2025 pipeline.
- Disease targeting therapies (DTTs) account for 73% of agents in trials. Cognition enhancing symptom targeted therapies (STTs) contribute 18%, and drugs targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms are 10%.
2026 may be an exciting and busy year for Alzheimer’s drug news as eight Phase 3 trials will reach their primary completion date, and 29 Phase 2 clinical trials will be completed.
Not only are there more drugs and more trials, but a varied and comprehensive array of Alzheimer’s disease processes is being addressed by investigational drugs. The researchers identified 17 aspects of Alzheimer’s impact on the brain that are targeted by at least one drug in current clinical trials.
Repurposed agents approved for non-Alzheimer’s indications include 56 drugs (35%) and 73 (38%) currently active trials. Repurposing plays an important role in Alzheimer’s drug development and repurposed agents comprise almost half of Phase 2 drugs. The benefits of investigating drugs that are already approved for other indications include: significantly reduced development time, lower development costs, higher probability of success, and a well-known safety profile.
Still a Great Unmet Need
“While the current FDA-approved treatments for early Alzheimer’s are a game-changing breakthrough, there is still a great unmet need for drug development to address the needs of the growing population of individuals with Alzheimer’s in all communities and across all stages of the disease,” said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead.
For example, according to the A&D: TRCI paper, there are no DTTs approved for preclinical Alzheimer’s or for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s dementia; no new classes of cognition enhancing agents have been approved since 2004; and no approved treatments for symptoms such as Alzheimer’s-related psychosis, depression, or apathy.
The Alzheimer’s Association, through its Part the Cloud program, is advancing Alzheimer’s treatments by providing critical funding for early-phase clinical trials that bridge the gap between laboratory research and final-stage human trials. Part the Cloud has funded 83 research projects with over $90 million to support diverse, high-risk, high-reward approaches aimed at stopping or slowing the disease. Recently, Part the Cloud announced over $11 million in new investments, focusing on tauopathy therapeutics, improving synaptic connectivity, and combination therapies. The Association funds studies on neuroinflammation, metabolism, and immune response to target the disease from multiple angles.
ALZ-NET (Alzheimer’s Network for Treatment and Diagnostics) is a voluntary, nationwide network sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association that collects real-world clinical, safety, and imaging data from patients receiving new FDA-approved Alzheimer’s therapies. It aims to improve treatment, monitor long-term outcomes, and enhance care. ALZ-NET is enrolling clinical sites across the country. Find information about joining ALZ-NET.
The Alzheimer’s Association is leading a pivotal shift in early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: from responding to symptoms after they appear to identifying risk of cognitive decline, quick and accurate diagnosis and intervention much earlier.
“Treatments that slow progression of early Alzheimer’s and offer meaningful benefits have been approved by the FDA and other agencies around the world. At the same time, compounds for people who show early biological signs of Alzheimer’s but have no detectable clinical symptoms are now in clinical trials. If these studies are positive, that could quickly change how the disease is managed,” Carrillo said.
“Plus, we are at a turning point in what we know about brain health. The results from the Alzheimer’s Association U.S. POINTER trial demonstrate with confidence that engaging in a structured, multi-component healthy lifestyle program can protect brain health and improve cognition for many people at risk for dementia in the U.S.,” Carrillo said.
The growth of the Alzheimer's drug development pipeline reflects the impact of sustained federal investment in Alzheimer's and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — which the Alzheimer's Association has championed alongside bipartisan leaders in Congress. To continue the scientific momentum reflected in this year's pipeline, the Association is working to secure the NIH director's professional judgment budget request of a $187.21 million increase for Alzheimer's and dementia research at NIH in fiscal year 2027.
Limitations
The authors of the new paper caution that this examination of the Alzheimer’s drug pipeline is focused only on clinical trial activity registered on clinicaltrials.gov and some trials conducted outside the U.S. are not included in this registry. Registration of U.S. trials on clinicaltrials.gov is mandated but not completely standardized and irregularities of data entry could affect the report.
They did not include trials whose participants have dementia of any cause or in which Alzheimer’s is included with other dementias. They did not include trials of non-pharmacologic therapeutic approaches such as exercise, lifestyle interventions, cognitive-behavior therapies, caregiver interventions, supplements, medical foods, devices, gene therapies, or stem cell therapies.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
DisclosureAuthor Feixiong Cheng, Ph.D. has grant funding from the Alzheimer’s Association.