Novartis, Amgen collaborate on Alzheimer’s and migraine treatment

A BACE (beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme-1) inhibitor program will be developed and commercialized in AD.

The lead molecule will be Novartis’ oral therapy CNP520 drug and additional compounds from both company’s pre-clinical BACE programs may be considered as follow-on molecules.

CNP520, which is presently in Phase 1/2a trials, is designed to prevent the production of different forms of amyloid with the potential to avoid, slow or delay the symptoms related with AD.

The collaboration will also focus on new Amgen drugs in the migraine field such as phase III AMG 334 and phase I AMG 301.

Novartis will have worldwide co-development rights and commercial rights for the migraine program outside the US, Canada, and Japan.

Amgen will pay an upfront fee, followed by milestone payments. The company will also pay for the majority of research-and-development costs for the program for an agreed-upon period, after which the parties would split costs and profit equally.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals head David Epstein said: "This Novartis collaboration with Amgen highlights our clear commitment to neuroscience and to bring multiple, new targeted therapies to patients living with Alzheimer’s disease and migraine, where the unmet medical need remains high."

Amgen executive vice president of research and development Sean Harper said: "Our collaboration on BACE inhibition reflects Amgen’s strategic focus on genetically validated drug candidates while our collaboration in migraine creates an opportunity to more rapidly advance AMG 334 on a global scale."