Neurimmune, a clinical stage biopharma, and Alexion, Astrazeneca’s rare disease group, have entered into an exclusive global collaboration and license agreement to develop NI006, an investigational human monoclonal antibody specifically targeting misfolded transthyretin. The candidate is currently in Phase Ib development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).
Under the agreement, Alexion will be granted an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialise NI006. Neurimmune will receive an upfront payment of $30m with the potential for additional contingent milestone payments of up to $730m payable upon achievement of milestones, as well as low-to-mid teen royalties on sales of any medicine resulting from the collaboration. It will continue to be responsible for completion of the current Phase 1b clinical study on behalf of Alexion, however Alexion will be responsible for further clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialisation.
“ATTR-CM is characterised by deposition of misfolded and aggregated transthyretin in the heart. Using our Reverse Translational Medicine technology, we developed a human monoclonal antibody that exclusively targets ATTR to remove amyloid from hearts,” said Jan Grimm, CSO of Neurimmune.
The company has gained extensive experience in amyloid removal biology and is licensing to Alexion its intellectual property related to diseases caused by ATTR amyloid deposition.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Alexion on this potentially disease-modifying antibody therapy for the treatment of ATTR-CM. Given Alexion’s extensive experience in developing and bringing to market medicines for people with rare diseases, we believe Alexion is uniquely positioned to advance NI006 for patients with this devastating and life-threatening disease,” said Christoph Hock, CMO of Neurimmune.
