Roche and Genentech End Alzheimer’s Drug Collaboration with UCB

UCB is set to proceed with the development of its anti-tau antibody for Alzheimer’s disease independently, following Roche and Genentech’s decision to discontinue their collaboration on the project, known as bepranemab. Initially, in 2020, Roche and Genentech invested $120 million upfront and pledged up to $2 billion in milestones and royalties for exclusive rights to this monoclonal antibody. The antibody targets the accumulation of tau protein in the brain, a key feature in Alzheimer’s progression. UCB announced on Tuesday that it has reacquired global rights to bepranemab after the dissolution of their partnership.

This recent development is not the first instance of Roche and Genentech withdrawing from the anti-tau domain. Earlier this year, in January, the companies ended a longstanding Alzheimer’s partnership with AC Immune, which had spanned two decades. This decision was made after several unsuccessful clinical trial outcomes, leaving behind assets targeting both amyloid and tau proteins.

Currently, bepranemab is undergoing Phase 2a clinical trials. The primary outcomes of these trials are expected to be unveiled at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease annual meeting in Madrid later this month. The ongoing trial is evaluating the effects of two different doses of bepranemab, administered every four weeks, compared to a placebo in individuals with prodromal or mild Alzheimer’s disease.

Earlier in October, analysts from Leerink expressed that favorable results for bepranemab could potentially reduce risks associated with the development of next-generation anti-tau antibodies. The accumulation of tau protein in the brain is believed to form "tangles" that can cause cell damage and inflammation, contributing to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Pharmaceutical companies, including Roche and Eli Lilly, began focusing on tau-targeted therapies several years ago when treatments targeting amyloid beta faced challenges in clinical trials. However, this new approach has shown variable outcomes. For instance, Eli Lilly’s tau-targeting OGA inhibitor failed in a Phase 2 study in August. Conversely, Biogen’s antisense oligonucleotide asset, designed to reduce tau, demonstrated some signs of efficacy in an early-stage trial late last year.

Roche’s termination of the bepranemab deal is aligned with a broader strategic shift towards focusing on cardiometabolic, oncology, and neurology drugs. Notably, Roche has invested in innovative weight loss treatments as part of this strategy.

Despite the termination of the agreement with UCB, Genentech continues to explore anti-tau therapies. In August, Genentech invested $50 million in short-term licensing fees and milestones to collaborate with Sangamo on an epigenetic repressor aimed at inhibiting the production of tau protein.

In summary, UCB will progress the development of bepranemab for Alzheimer’s disease independently after Roche and Genentech’s departure. The field of tau-targeted therapies remains dynamic with mixed results, as pharmaceutical companies continue to seek effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease amidst evolving strategic focuses.