Can the Human Brain Project Crack the Code for Big Pharma?
The goal of the recently launched Human Brain Project, a massive collaboration that involves 80 universities and institutes, is to create a computer simulation of the human brain. The project recently won a 1 billion-euro grant from the European Commission, and many hope that this study will demystify not only how the brain works, but also the mechanism of action behind brain-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Last year was both disappointing and exciting for pharmaceutical companies trying to find new cures for this devastating disease. Bapineuzumab, an antibody that Johnson & Johnson , Pfizer , and Elan were working on, failed to meet its primary endpoint in a clinical trial last year and is no longer in development. Eli Lilly had mixed success with a phase 3 candidate, and Merck also has a drug that is poised to enter late-stage development. In this video, health-care analyst Max Macaluso reviews the state of Alzheimer's research at Big Pharma companies and talks about the potential impact of the Human Brain Project.
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Max Macaluso, Ph.D., has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Johnson & Johnson. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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