Roche is stepping up its fight against Alzheimer’s disease, launching a new Phase II clinical trial of an experimental drug while showcasing advances in blood-based diagnostic testing at a major international conference in November.
The pharmaceutical giant will present 16 abstracts spanning its pharmaceuticals and diagnostics portfolios at the 19th Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Congress in Boston, Massachusetts, from November 16–19, 2026. The presentations will include two scientific symposia and two oral presentations.
At the centre of Roche’s latest push is TARBELA-AD, a new Phase II trial evaluating RG6434, an investigational oral NLRP3 inhibitor, in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
The trial marks a significant expansion of Roche’s research strategy, which aims to tackle multiple biological mechanisms driving the disease. Alongside efforts to clear amyloid protein accumulation, the company is investigating neuroinflammation as another potential target in slowing or preventing disease progression.
“Amyloid clearance remains a vital foundation, but halting a disease as complex as Alzheimer’s demands multifaceted and complementary strategies," said Levi Garraway, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development.
"By advancing our Phase II TARBELA-AD trial evaluating an NLRP3 inhibitor, alongside ongoing trontinemab programmes, we will test additional therapeutic hypotheses to potentially stop or prevent disease progression."
Roche is also stepping up efforts to transform Alzheimer’s diagnosis through its expanding portfolio of blood-based biomarkers, including its approved Elecsys pTau217 and Elecsys pTau181 tests.
The company is positioning these tests as a way to improve diagnostic accuracy, expand access to testing beyond specialist centres and help identify Alzheimer’s pathology earlier.
“Transforming care for Alzheimer’s disease begins with bringing clarity to individuals and families as early as possible," said Matt Sause, CEO of Roche Diagnostics.
"Elecsys pTau217 is the first and only FDA-cleared, single biomarker blood test that both rules in and rules out amyloid pathology. By expanding assessment into primary care as well as specialist settings, it can deliver fast, accurate answers so people can evaluate treatment and plan for the future."
Roche’s pharmaceutical presentations at CTAD will focus on two key areas: its investigational drug trontinemab and efforts to target neuroinflammation through NLRP3 inhibition.
Another major focus will be the Phase III PrevenTRON study, which is investigating trontinemab in people who have no cognitive symptoms but show biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease and are considered at high risk of clinical decline.
Roche’s diagnostics portfolio will feature prominently throughout the conference, with multiple posters presenting new clinical, health economic and real-world evidence on its Elecsys pTau217 and Elecsys pTau181 blood tests.
Among the key areas of investigation will be the impact of integrating blood-based pTau217 testing into routine clinical practice, particularly its potential to improve healthcare efficiency, reduce diagnostic bottlenecks and strengthen the economics of Alzheimer’s care.
With its latest research spanning experimental drug development, neuroinflammation, amyloid clearance, early intervention and blood-based diagnostics, Roche is seeking to advance a more comprehensive approach to Alzheimer’s disease — one that brings together earlier detection and multiple therapeutic strategies across the disease continuum.
