Amgen, Novartis Form Neuroscience Pact
Amgen and Novartis have formed a neuroscience collaboration focused on developing treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and migraines. Both companies plan to co-develop and co-commercialize a BACE (beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme-1) program targeting AD. Novartis’ BACE inhibitor (CNP520) will be the lead molecule, and each company’s pre-clinical BACE inhibitor programs will be potential follow-ons. Amgen will make upfront and milestone payments and will be responsible for disproportional research and development (R&D) costs for an agreed-upon period followed by an equal cost and profit sharing.
Under the collaboration, Novartis also receives rights to co-develop and co-commercialize Amgen's migraine portfolio outside of the US, Canada, and Japan. This includes AMG 334, a fully human monoclonal antibody for preventing migraine in Phase III development, and AMG 301, a monoclonal antibody for treating migraines in Phase I development, as well as additional early-stage Amgen molecules in these territories. In exchange for territory rights, Novartis will fund disproportional amounts of global R&D expenses for an agreed-upon period on the migraine programs and pay Amgen double-digit royalties on sales. AMG 334 is expected to finish Phase III trials by 2017.
