BioArctic’s founder, Professor Lars Lannfelt, was awarded the European Grand Prix for his research on Alzheimer’s disease at the anniversary gala for La Fondation Recherche Alzheimer in Paris on March 18.

Professor Lannfelt received the award for his groundbreaking research, which has played a significant role in the scientific progress in the field over decades, leading to the development of lecanemab, a disease-modifying treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease approved in the U.S., Japan and China.

Coupled with the introduction of modern diagnostic methods, I am convinced that we are facing a paradigm shift where, in time, we will be able to offer not just a slowdown in the progression of the disease but eventually even stopping the disease process.”

“Being able to give hope and contribute to the treatment of patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease is what has driven me throughout my research life,” said Professor Lars Lannfelt. “It is inspiring to see how research in this field has now begun to take quantum leaps with the development of treatments such as lecanemab which demonstrated meaningful benefits to patients in the global Phase 3 Clarity AD trial using gold standard endpoints. Coupled with the introduction of modern diagnostic methods, I am convinced that we are facing a paradigm shift where, in time, we will be able to offer not just a slowdown in the progression of the disease but eventually even stopping the disease process.”

Founded BioArctic together with Pär Gellerfors

Professor Lars Lannfelt founded BioArctic together with Pär Gellerfors in 2003 to develop an antibody treatment based on Lannfelt’s discoveries of the role of amyloid-beta protein in Alzheimer’s disease. These discoveries are the basis for lecanemab, an antibody treatment developed in collaboration with the Japanese company Eisai. By binding to specific forms of amyloid-beta, which causes Alzheimer’s disease, lecanemab helps to clear them from the brain, thereby altering the course of the disease.

La Fondation Recherche Alzheimer

La Fondation Recherche Alzheimer was founded in 2004 and aims to improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and pave the way for effective treatments. This is done by focusing their operations on financing research with a focus on early detection, development of new drugs and treatments, and improving care and support for patients and their families.

Photo: Pierre Morell