Chinese biotech firm SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals has partnered with Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis in a deal worth nearly $1.7 billion to develop treatments for Alzheimer's disease, which affects some 55 million people worldwide. The agreement grants Novartis exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise SciNeuro's antibody candidates for the progressive brain disease. SciNeuro's novel amyloid beta-targeted antibody programme leverages proprietary blood-brain barrier shuttle technology to help more of the drug cross into the brain where Alzheimer's damage occurs.
On Monday, China's SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals announced a partnership with Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis, reviving hopes for treating Alzheimer's disease, which affects some 55 million people worldwide and could cost the global economy $2.8 trillion by 2030.
The deal, valued at nearly $1.7 billion, grants Novartis exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise SciNeuro's antibody candidates for drugs targeting the progressive brain disease. SciNeuro's novel amyloid beta-targeted antibody programme is one of the firm's key strategic research and development priorities and leverages proprietary blood-brain barrier shuttle technology to enable more of the drug to cross into the brain where Alzheimer's damage occurs.
"The anti-amyloid programme represents one of SciNeuro's key strategic research and development priorities to target the neurodegenerative disease," said Li Min, founder and CEO of SciNeuro. "This collaboration delivers an optimal synergy, combining our expertise in disease biology and early development with Novartis' global leadership in clinical development and commercialisation."
Under the agreement, SciNeuro will receive an upfront payment of $165 million and could earn up to $1.5 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, plus royalties on future sales.
Over the past three decades, amyloid beta protein has been a primary drug target for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. This approach has been backed by extensive laboratory and genetic evidence from scientists, according to a 2023 review on amyloid-based therapy published in a Nature-affiliated journal.
The partnership highlights the growing role of Chinese biotech firms in global pharmaceuticals and may accelerate progress in Alzheimer's treatments, despite long-standing challenges in the field.
