BioArctic Forms Strategic Partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb for Alzheimer's Antibody Development

BioArctic's New Partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb

BioArctic AB, a Swedish biopharma company renowned for its contributions to neurodegenerative diseases treatment, has recently announced a significant global exclusive license agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) for its PyroGlutamate-amyloid-beta (PyroGlu-Aβ) antibody program. This collaboration primarily involves the development of two promising antibodies, BAN1503 and BAN2803, both aimed at tackling the complexities of Alzheimer's disease.

Financial Terms of the Agreement

Under this agreement, BioArctic is set to receive a substantial upfront payment of USD 100 million, in addition to potential milestone payments that could total up to USD 1.25 billion. Moreover, BioArctic stands to gain tiered royalties from the global sales of the products developed under this partnership. This strategic collaboration marks a significant step forward not just for BioArctic but also for the entire field of Alzheimer's research, which has been in dire need of effective therapies.

Responsibilities and Future Directions

Bristol Myers Squibb will oversee the comprehensive development and commercialization processes for the BAN1503 and BAN2803 antibodies worldwide. However, BioArctic retains the option to co-commercialize these products within the Nordic region, allowing for regional empowerment and a stronger presence in a market where Alzheimer’s care is crucial.

Innovative Technology: BrainTransporter™

The inclusion of BioArctic's novel BrainTransporter™ technology in BAN2803 is particularly noteworthy. This cutting-edge technology seeks to enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which has long posed a challenge in treating neurological conditions. By utilizing the body's natural mechanisms through the transferrin receptor (TfR), the BrainTransporter™ technology aims to facilitate the effective uptake of biotherapeutics in the brain, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Perspectives from Leadership

Gunilla Osswald, the CEO of BioArctic, expressed strong enthusiasm about this collaboration, emphasizing the shared commitment to advancing treatments for Alzheimer's. She noted, "The BrainTransporter technology enables us to lead in designing and developing next-generation treatments for various brain disorders. This partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb underscores our mutual dedication to assisting Alzheimer's patients."

Rich Hargreaves, Senior Vice President at Bristol Myers Squibb, also highlighted the significant potential of this collaboration. He stated, "Our agreement with BioArctic is a major addition to our neuroscience portfolio, which is currently focused on innovative and transformative strategies. We are eager to combine our expertise with advancements like the BrainTransporter technology in order to redefine our approach to combating Alzheimer's disease."

Future Collaborations

This groundbreaking partnership marks the inaugural licensing agreement for the BrainTransporter™ technology and signals the potential of expanding its application across various therapy areas targeting biologic molecules. BioArctic has reserved further rights for this technology, opening pathways for future collaborations that could revolutionize how we approach treatments for many neurological diseases.

BioArctic's commitment to innovative therapies is unwavering, exemplified by its previous success with Leqembi® (lecanemab), the first drug that has shown effectiveness in slowing Alzheimer's progression. As the company continues to innovate and explore new collaborative opportunities, the future of Alzheimer’s treatment looks more promising than ever, thanks to strategic partnerships like the one with Bristol Myers Squibb.

This release discusses investigational uses of an agent in development and is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy or safety. The success of these investigational agents is not guaranteed, as they must undergo rigorous clinical development and receive health authority approval before they can widely benefit patients.