BioArctic SIgns a Research Agreement With Brain Biomarker Solutions in Gothenburg AB to Develop New Diagnostics for Alzheimer's Disease
Saturday, September 15, 2018
BioArctic AB has signed a research agreement with Brain Biomarker Solutions in Gothenburg AB (BBS). BBS was founded by the internationally well-known researchers in the area of Alzheimer diagnostics, Professors Kaj Blennow and Henrik Zetterberg and University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
The objective of the research collaboration is to develop new and improved diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's disease by identifying and measuring new biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. The goal is to be able to better and more accurately diagnose the disease and to achieve a more precise monitoring of the disease process and to demonstrate and follow the effect of new drugs targeting the amyloid pathology. This represents a huge need from the pharmaceutical industry in the development of new drugs. Biomarkers are substances in CSF, blood or other tissues that can be used to get information of a disease and its progression. One interesting biomarker in CSF that will be studied is amyloid beta protofibrils, a biological moiety that also is present in the brain of Alzheimer patients, and which is also believed to be central in the development of the disease. Support for this hypothesis is that BioArctic's drug candidate BAN2401, which is directed towards amyloid beta protofibrils, recently in a large Phase 2b study showed significant clinical efficacy.
The diagnostic methods that will be developed can also play an important role to monitor treatment effects in clinical trials. BBS will contribute to the collaboration with its vast experience in Alzheimer diagnostics and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease. BioArctic will contribute with its proprietary antibodies and its expertise in regulatory affairs. The project results are equally owned by the parties, each responsible for their own costs. The revenues should be shared equally between the parties at a potential outlicensing.
Since Alzheimer's disease is highly prevalent in the world and an increasing medical problem for patients, relatives and societies, new and improved diagnostic methods are highly warranted. Hence, the diagnostic market for Alzheimer's disease has a significant potential. The long-term goal with the research collaboration is to develop diagnostic products which will be commercialized and through licensing or other business arrangements with possibilities of future revenues from royalties.
"We are very pleased with this important collaboration which in the long-term can create a new business opportunity for BioArctic but also further improve the ability to develop new drugs for Alzheimer's disease," said Gunilla Osswald, CEO of BioArctic.
