Asceneuron CEO Dirk Beher tells Mike Ward about the progress that the 2012 startup is making with its small-molecule therapeutics that reduce the accumulation of toxic aggregates of the tau protein into the neurofibrillary tangles.

The world's expanding, aging population means diseases of the central nervous system, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, are potential blockbuster areas for innovative pharma and biotech companies that are able to navigate clinical studies and get to market. Scrip looks at five emerging trends that are likely to affect the CNS drug development landscape in 2018.

This week's appointment roundup includes senior appointments by Promethera, HealthTell, Alzheon and Gilead Nordic with Baxter International, Therachon and Arena Pharmaceuticals making board appointments.

This week's roundup includes top level updates from AstraZeneca and executive appointments by Myokardia, Asceneuron and Arquer Diagnostics.