Elan, Wyeth abandon top dose of Alzheimer's drug

LONDON (Reuters) - Irish drugmaker Elan and its U.S. partner Wyeth have decided to stop testing the highest dose of their experimental Alzheimer's drug bapineuzumab in final-stage Phase III studies, they said Thursday.

The decision to discontinue the 2.0 mg/kg dose followed a review of cases of vasogenic edema, or fluid build-up in the brain.

"Our review of the safety data and the feedback from the Safety Monitoring Committee made it clear that continued development of the highest dose was not advisable," said Elan President Carlos Paya.

Testing of the 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg doses in two Phase III trials will continue as planned.

Shares in Elan were flat in a sharply higher market in early trade.

(Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Hans Peters)