AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN) said it entered into a collaboration with Neurimmune AG for NI006, an investigational human monoclonal antibody currently in Phase Ib development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).
ATTR-CM is a systemic, progressive, fatal and often underdiagnosed condition that leads to progressive heart failure and high rate of fatality within four years from diagnosis.
Under the agreement, AstraZeneca’s rare disease subsidiary Alexion will be granted an exclusive worldwide licence to develop, manufacture and commercialise NI006.
Neurimmune will receive an upfront payment of US$30mln from Alexion with potential milestone payments of up to US$730mln, as well as low-to-mid teen royalties on net sales of any approved medicine resulting from the collaboration.
Neurimmune will continue to be responsible for completion of the current Phase Ib clinical trial on behalf of Alexion, and Alexion will pay certain trial costs.
Alexion will be responsible for further clinical development, manufacturing and commercialisation.
NI006 is designed to directly address the pathology of ATTR-CM by enabling removal of amyloid fibril deposits in the heart, with the potential to treat patients with advanced ATTR-CM, AstraZeneca said.
Marc Dunoyer, chief executive officer of Alexion, said Alexion is uniquely positioned to advance innovative science for small patient populations who are frequently underdiagnosed.
“We look forward to applying this expertise to the development of NI006, which is designed to clear cardiac amyloid fibril deposits with the potential to improve cardiac function for patients living with advanced ATTR-CM, who are currently underserved by existing treatment options," he said.