AbbVie to buy Aliada for $1.4B in Alzheimer’s deal

AbbVie has announced its decision to acquire Aliada Therapeutics, a move that will enhance its research capabilities in Alzheimer's and broader neuroscience. This strategic acquisition includes Aliada's prime therapy candidate, ALIA-1758, which is an experimental treatment targeting amyloid beta plaques in Alzheimer's patients. Additionally, AbbVie will benefit from Aliada's innovative blood-brain barrier (BBB) technology.

The ALIA-1758 therapy is currently in phase 1 trials and represents a novel approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease by addressing the notoriously difficult BBB. This barrier is a significant obstacle in central nervous system (CNS) drug development because it protects the brain by preventing many substances from entering, making it challenging to deliver therapeutic agents effectively.

Aliada Therapeutics has developed the MODEL platform, which is designed to facilitate the precise delivery of drugs into the brain by targeting specific receptors. This platform is particularly significant because it can enhance the transport of biologics, including antibodies and genetic medicines, through the BBB. Such technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders by ensuring that therapies reach their intended targets in the brain more effectively.

Aliada was established in 2021 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The company focuses on creating treatments that can penetrate the BBB to address CNS disorders. With a small but dedicated team of 11-20 employees, Aliada has been pioneering a platform to deliver large molecules, such as antibodies and peptides, to the brain's more challenging regions. This capability is crucial for advancing new therapies for conditions that have been difficult to treat due to the protective nature of the BBB.

AbbVie's acquisition of Aliada Therapeutics signifies a commitment to advancing research and development in the field of Alzheimer's disease and neuroscience. By integrating Aliada's innovative approaches and technologies, AbbVie aims to overcome one of the most significant barriers in CNS drug development and enhance the efficacy of treatments for neurological conditions.