Neurimmune AG, a biopharmaceutical company, announced that it has entered into an exclusive global collaboration and license agreement with Alexion, AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease group, to develop NI006, an investigational human monoclonal antibody specifically targeting misfolded transthyretin. NI006 is currently in phase Ib development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).

“ATTR-CM is characterized by deposition of misfolded and aggregated transthyretin in the heart. Using our Reverse Translational Medicine technology, we developed a human monoclonal antibody that exclusively targets ATTR to remove amyloid from hearts,” said Jan Grimm, CSO of Neurimmune.

Neurimmune is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company translating human immune memory into antibody therapeutics. The company has gained extensive experience in amyloid removal biology and is licensing to Alexion its intellectual property related to diseases caused by ATTR amyloid deposition. NI006 is currently being investigated in a phase 1b clinical study in ATTR-CM patients conducted in four European countries.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Alexion on this potentially disease-modifying antibody therapy for the treatment of ATTR-CM. Given Alexion’s extensive experience in developing and bringing to market medicines for people with rare diseases, we believe Alexion is uniquely positioned to advance NI006 for patients with this devastating and life-threatening disease,” said Christoph Hock, CMO of Neurimmune.

Under the agreement, Alexion will be granted an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize Neurimmune’s ATTR clinical asset NI006. Neurimmune will receive an upfront payment of $30 million with the potential for additional contingent milestone payments of up to $730 million payable upon achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as low-to-mid teen royalties on net sales of any approved medicine resulting from the collaboration. Neurimmune will continue to be responsible for completion of the current Phase 1b clinical study on behalf of Alexion. Alexion will be responsible for further clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization.

The transaction is expected to close following satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances.

Neurimmune is a biopharmaceutical company translating human immune memory into transformative antibody therapeutics.