AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly Agree to Co-Develop MEDI1814 for Alzheimer's

AstraZeneca and Lilly to develop second potentially disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly and Company announced a worldwide agreement to co-develop MEDI1814, an antibody selective for amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42), which is currently in Phase I trials as a potential disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This agreement builds on the existing collaboration related to AZD3293, a BACE inhibitor in two pivotal Phase III trials.

The build-up of plaques in the brain containing the peptide amyloid-beta (Aβ) is one of the characteristics of AD. MEDI1814 binds selectively to Aβ42, a form of Aβ which is particularly associated with the disease. MEDI1814 dose-dependently reduces levels of this peptide, potentially slowing the progression of AD.

Mene Pangalos, executive vice president, IMED Biotech Unit and Business Development, AstraZeneca, said: “We are excited to build on an already productive collaboration with Lilly, which combines the expertise of our two companies, with a new program focused on the amyloid beta pathway. MEDI1814 has a unique mechanism among antibodies in clinical development and could provide a distinct approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease.”

Jan Lundberg, executive vice president of science and technology and president of Lilly Research Laboratories, said: “At Lilly, we recognize the significant burden Alzheimer’s disease places on patients, caregivers and our society and we remain committed to finding ways to change the course of the disease. We are pleased to be expanding our alliance with AstraZeneca to further build our pipeline of potential medicines and diagnostic agents. AstraZeneca brings capabilities and expertise and most importantly shares our passion to bring new medicines to patients suffering from this debilitating illness.”

In the existing collaboration agreement signed in 2014, Lilly agreed to pay AstraZeneca up to $500 million in development and regulatory milestone payments. Under the terms of the latest agreement, Lilly will make a $30 million upfront payment to AstraZeneca, according to MarketWatch.

(Sources: AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly and Company, MarketWatch)