Roche Pays $120M for Rights to UCB’s Tau-Targeting Alzheimer’s Drug
Summary
As the Alzheimer’s disease world continues to closely follow the development of therapies that break up clumps of beta amyloid on patients’ brains, Roche is placing a bet on another approach via a deal that secures rights to a clinical-stage UCB compound that targets tau, another protein associated with the neurodegenerative disorder. After that study is complete, the Swiss pharmaceutical giant’s Genentech subsidiary may choose to continue the drug’s development or return its rights. Ivan Cheung, Eisai’s chairman and president of the company’s neurology business group, told Xconomy in an interview that the key for both aducanumab and BAN2401 was finding the right dose to show an effect. In addition to Alzheimer’s, UCB is developing UCB0107 for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurological disorder that causes problems with walking, balance, eye movements, and swallowing. UCB’s deal with Roche does not include PSP, and the Belgian company will continue to develop the drug for that disorder; a confirmatory Phase 3 study is expected to start in the second quarter of next year.
Classifications
AskAI Classifications
LabelsLinked Companies
