Novartis and Amgen to Develop Neuroscience Treatments

Sept. 2, 2015

Novartis entered into a global collaboration with Amgen to commercialize and develop neuroscience treatments. The companies will partner in the development and commercialization of a BACE inhibitor program in Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

According to a press release, Novartis' oral therapy CNP520 will be the lead molecule and further compounds from both company's pre-clinical BACE inhibitor programs may be considered as follow-on molecules. The collaboration will also focus on new Amgen drugs in the migraine field, including phase III AMG 334 and phase I AMG 301. For the migraine program, Novartis will have global co-development rights and commercial rights outside the U.S., Canada, and Japan.

"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." said David Epstein, Head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Under the terms of the arrangement, the release says Novartis and Amgen will share responsibilities for development and commercialization of the BACE inhibitor program. Amgen will pay an upfront payment and milestone payments as well as disproportional research and development costs for an agreed upon period followed by a 50/50 cost and profit share arrangement.

Read the full release