Repurposed drug prioritization pipeline for a multi‐arm platform trial in clinical Alzheimer's disease

Journal article

INTRODUCTION: There is an urgent need to identify effective, safe, and affordable treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), we developed a systematic drug prioritization pipeline to identify repurposed drug candidates for inclusion in a planned platform trial for clinical AD. METHODS: The wider AD community was invited to propose compounds using a standardized proposal template. Fourteen proposals were presented to an international expert panel, who independently ranked compounds based on biological plausibility, preclinical efficacy, safety, and trial feasibility. Extended drug summaries were compiled for shortlisted compounds, supported by ReLiSyR, a machine learning–supported systematic review tool. RESULTS: Following review in a second panel meeting, independent re‐ranking identified the following compounds: atomoxetine (1st), metformin (2nd), isosorbide mononitrate and levetiracetam (joint 3rd). DISCUSSION: This robust drug prioritization pipeline will speed the identification and progression of promising candidates for therapeutic evaluation.

Authors: Iqbal, S; Olivares, CB; Rizzo, L; Parker, TD; Wong, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 5
• Article number: e71495
• Publication date: 2026-05-25
• Acceptance date: 2026-04-17
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.71495
• EISSN: 1552-5279
• ISSN: 1552-5260
• Language: English
• Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; cognition; pharmacology; repurposed drugs; adaptive platform trials; clinical trials; neuropharmacology