As part of the agreement GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (GSK) is acquiring exclusive rights to develop and commercialize two Alzheimer’s disease vaccine candidates that are based on AFFiRiS AFFiTOPE technology and are currently in Phase I clinical development. AFFiRiS is also granting GSK an exclusive option to develop and commercialize alternative Alzheimer’s disease vaccine candidates which are in preclinical development.
Under the terms of the agreement, AFFiRiS will receive an up-front payment of E22.5 million and could be eligible for future milestone payments and royalties. The total potential value of the agreement could reach E430 million in the event of full commercial success of the candidate vaccines. This agreement is subject to governmental authority approval.
Central to the deal is the AFFiRiS AFFiTOPE technology which allows the design of proteins with very specific binding characteristics that are ideally suited for the development of vaccines against disease-causing ‘rogue’ human proteins such as beta-amyloid which is central to the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, the companies said.
Jean Stephenne, president and general manager of GSK, said: “We are impressed with the AFFiRiS technology – combined with our expertise in innovative adjuvant systems this collaboration will improve our chance of success in the discovery of new treatments against this major disease.”