CHICAGO, November 24, 2025 — Leads & Copy — The Alzheimer’s Association expressed disappointment that the evoke and evoke+ clinical trials did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in Alzheimer’s disease progression. These studies tested an oral semaglutide pill for treating early-stage symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
Joanne Pike, DrPH, Alzheimer’s Association president and chief executive officer, stated that while the results were not as hoped, they would contribute to understanding this devastating disease. She emphasized that data from every clinical trial is vital for accelerating the understanding of the disease and informing the next generation of clinical trials, and she added that the Association remains optimistic about the future of Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention as the scientific landscape diversifies and expands.
The company noted that while semaglutide improved Alzheimer’s disease-related biomarkers in both trials, it did not delay disease progression. The evoke and evoke+ trials were large-scale, long-term international clinical trials involving over 3,800 people ages 55-85 diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, which are referred to as stage 3 and 4 of Alzheimer’s disease.
Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead, commented that these results would help refine the understanding of this class of drugs. Carrillo added that while this semaglutide pill did not help against Alzheimer’s, the field would continue to investigate this class of drugs, as they may act differently. She emphasized that the Alzheimer’s Association remains a fierce leader for innovative research and believes it’s critical to continue investigating diverse approaches to treatment and prevention.
An annual evaluation of the drug development pipeline published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions in early 2025 shows there are 182 active clinical trials evaluating 138 novel drugs. The Alzheimer’s Association, through its “Part the Cloud” program, provides strategic funding to advance promising investigational Alzheimer’s therapies into clinical trials.
For people living with early Alzheimer’s, treatments are available, and the Association urges individuals to talk to their doctor about these options. Individuals can also talk to their doctor about participating in clinical trials or visit the Alzheimer’s Association’s TrialMatch for more information.
The Association appreciates these topline results and looks forward to hearing a deeper dive into the data at the Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) meeting in December.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. The Association’s vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®.
Joanne Pike, DrPH, Alzheimer’s Association president and chief executive officer.
Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead.
Source: Alzheimer’s Association
