Alector has licensed its investigational enzyme replacement therapy AL050 to Genentech under an agreement providing $100 million upfront and up to $1.17 billion in development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. The deal also includes tiered royalties on net sales.
Announced Oct. 5, the exclusive global agreement gives Genentech, a Roche subsidiary, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize AL050 for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Genentech will oversee development, regulatory activities, manufacturing and commercialization across all indications.
AL050 targets deficiency of glucocerebrosidase, or GCase, an enzyme whose reduced activity contributes to neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease, according to Alector. The deficiency is most pronounced in people carrying GBA1 mutations but is not limited to that group.
The program combines an engineered GCase enzyme with Alector Brain Carrier, the company’s blood-brain barrier delivery platform. Alector said the enzyme was designed for increased activity and a longer half-life, while the carrier is intended to transport it into the brain.
Once delivered, the enzyme is intended to break down glucosylsphingosine and glucosylceramide, lipids that accumulate in brain cells when GCase activity is deficient. The approach aims to reduce cellular dysfunction and slow disease progression.
Alector retains ownership of the delivery platform and rights to use it throughout its wholly owned pipeline. The company said the partnership extends its cash runway into 2029.
Alector plans to use the resources to advance an anti-amyloid beta antibody toward clinical data in Alzheimer’s patients and move tau and alpha-synuclein small interfering RNA programs through studies supporting investigational drug applications and subsequent regulatory filings.
Subscribe to our e-Newsletters
Stay up to date with the latest news, articles, and events. Plus, get special offers
from American Pharmaceutical Review – all delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up now!