Date: 2017-11-02
Type of information: Milestone
Compound: anti-Tau antibodies
Company: Genentech, a member of Roche group (USA - Switzerland) AC Immune (Switzerland)
Therapeutic area: Neurodegenerative diseases
Type agreement: R&D - research - development - commercialisation - licensing
Action mechanism: monoclonal antibody
Disease: Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disease
Details:
- • On June 18, 2012, AC Immune has entered into a second exclusive worldwide license agreement and research collaboration with Genentech for the research, development and commercialization of AC Immune’s anti-Tau antibodies for the potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Under the multi-year joint research collaboration, AC Immune will work in partnership with Genentech to identify and formulate several pre-clinical candidates. Genentech will have global responsibility for pre-clinical and clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of antibodies resulting from the collaboration.
The Tau protein forms twisted fibers inside brain cells and build tangles that are considered as the second major cause of Alzheimer’s disease besides Abeta-plaques. The anti-Tau antibodies were discovered and humanized by AC Immune through its proprietary SupraAntigen™ technology. An anti-Abeta antibody, crenezumab was discovered and humanized by AC Immune. It is designed to bind to amyloid beta, the main constituent of amyloid plaque in the brains of patients with Alzheimer\'s disease. Abeta is considered to be a major cause in the development of the disease. Genentech is currently evaluating crenezumab in a Phase II clinical study in Alzheimer’s patients with mild to moderate symptoms. In May 2012, crenezumab was selected to be tested in the world’s first-ever prevention trial in healthy individuals who are genetically destined to develop Alzheimer’s disease. This landmark study to investigate whether an anti-amyloid treatment can stave off the disease is being run by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute (BAI), the University of Antioquia in Colombia and Genentech.
Financial terms:
- Under the terms of the agreement, AC Immune will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to receive research, development and commercialization milestone payments totaling more than Swiss Francs 400 million (approximately $418 million - €333 million) for Alzheimer´s disease and other indications. Additionally, AC Immune is eligible to receive royalties on net sales of products resulting from the collaboration.
Latest news:
- • On November 2, 2017, AC Immune announced that Genentech has dosed the first patient in a Phase 2
clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with an anti-Tau monoclonal antibody known as RO7105705 (NCT03289143). Upon the dosing of the first patient in the Phase 2 clinical trial, AC Immune becomes eligible to receive a milestone payment of CHF 14 million, which is expected to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2017. This will be the third milestone payment under the 2012 strategic collaboration and
licensing agreement with Genentech for anti-Tau antibodies for the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. AC Immune also has a licensing agreement for the anti-Abeta antibody crenezumab, which is in Phase 3 clinical studies being conducted by Genentech.
- • On July 7, 2016, AC Immune announced that Genentech, a has dosed the first patient in a Phase 1 clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease with an anti-Tau monoclonal antibody. This product candidate was discovered and humanized in collaboration between AC Immune and Genentech. Upon commencement of the Phase 1 clinical trial, AC Immune became eligible to receive a milestone payment of CHF14 million, which is expected to be paid in the third quarter of 2016. This will be the second milestone payment under the 2012 collaboration and licensing agreement with Genentech for anti-Tau antibodies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
- • On July 13th, 2015, AC Immune announced that it had received a milestone from Genentech in its collaboration agreement for anti-Tau antibodies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. The milestone marks Genentech’s selection of a lead antibody development candidate to progress further towards clinical trials. Financial details were not disclosed.
Is general: Yes
