Beyond Lecanemab and Donanemab: 3 Alzheimer’s Drug Developments to Watch
For many years, Alzheimer’s treatment research felt painfully slow. Families heard about trials, theories and setbacks, but saw little change in real treatment options. That is part of why the approvals of Leqembi (Lecanemab) and Kisunla (Donanemab) felt so significant. They marked a major shift in the treatment landscape and gave families a sense that progress, however imperfect, was finally happening.
But research has not stopped there.
Scientists and drug developers are continuing to investigate what might come next, including new amyloid-targeting drugs and treatments with entirely different mechanisms of action. This matters because although recent drugs have brought hope, there is still a clear unmet need for more options, broader suitability and treatments that may be easier to access or tolerate.
Here are three developments currently worth watching.
1. Remternetug
Lilly is looking to build on the success of Kisunla with a second amyloid-targeting drug called remternetug. In Phase 2 trials, it produced what was described as rapid and robust amyloid plaque clearance.
That is notable because amyloid has remained one of the central targets in Alzheimer’s drug development. Although the amyloid theory is not the only area researchers are exploring, recent approvals have helped reinforce its importance in the field.
The Phase 3 trial for remternetug is expected to enrol 1,574 patients and was due to complete in March this year. For families following research developments, this is one to keep an eye on because it may show whether Lilly can build further on its current momentum.
2. Buntanetap tartrate
Amovio Bio is investigating a once-daily drug called buntanetap tartrate in a Phase 2 trial. One of the most important differences here is that this drug works through a different mechanism of action and is taken orally rather than through infusion.
That distinction matters. Infusion-based treatments can be difficult for some families because of travel, hospital appointments, time commitments and monitoring requirements. An oral option, if shown to be effective and safe, could potentially feel more manageable in everyday life.
The Phase 3 trial is expected to cover 760 patients. Participants will receive the drug daily, with evaluation points at 6 months and 18 months, and the trial is due to complete in December 2027.
For caregivers, oral treatments may sound especially appealing because of the practical burden they can reduce. Even where new treatments are promising, how they fit into real life matters a great deal.
3. AR-1001
Ari Bio’s AR-1001 is also being investigated in Phase 3 trials. In Phase 2, the 30 mg once-daily oral drug showed significant improvement, making it another treatment development drawing attention.
At this stage, early positive results are encouraging, but as always with clinical research, larger trials are essential. Phase 3 studies help determine whether promising early outcomes continue to hold up across a broader patient group.
Why alternative mechanisms matter
One of the key messages in current Alzheimer’s drug research is that there is still a need for treatments beyond the existing amyloid-focused options. While recent drugs have validated that line of research, they are not the whole answer.
Different mechanisms of action may ultimately help address a wider range of symptoms, disease pathways or patient needs. That is why these new developments matter even to families who already know about Lecanemab and Donanemab.
Progress in Alzheimer’s research is unlikely to come from a single breakthrough alone. More often, it comes through layers of improvement, multiple treatment routes and a broader understanding of how the disease works.
What caregivers should keep in mind
Drug development stories can bring hope, but they can also feel emotionally complicated. Families may hear about promising treatments while also facing delays, limited access or uncertainty about who the drugs are suitable for.
It can help to hold these updates with cautious optimism. Research progress is real, but it is not the same as immediate availability. A trial completing or a Phase 2 result making headlines does not necessarily mean a treatment will soon be accessible through everyday healthcare pathways.
Still, these developments matter. They show momentum. They show that researchers are continuing to push beyond the current boundaries. And for many families, simply knowing that the field is still moving can bring some comfort.
A hopeful but realistic takeaway
The approval of Leqembi and Kisunla marked an important step, but they are not the final chapter in Alzheimer’s treatment. Remternetug, buntanetap tartrate and AR-1001 all point to a future where there may be more options, more mechanisms and, hopefully, more flexibility in how treatment fits into daily life.
For caregivers and families, that does not erase the challenges of the present, but it does offer a reminder that research is continuing and that hope in Alzheimer’s care is no longer standing still.
