Japan’s Ono Pharmaceutical Expands Collab with Neurimmune to Discover Antibodies for Neurodegenerative Disorders

Ono Pharmaceutical, an Osaka, Japan-based firm, announced a new collaboration with Switzerland’s Neurimmune AG to discover new antibodies to treat neurodegenerative diseases. The two companies previously partnered in 2017 to discover antibodies in the same field. 

Under the deal, Neurimmune will use its Reverse Translational Medicine (RTM) platform to create antibodies against targets selected by Ono. Ono will get global rights to develop and market drugs discovered by Neurimmune.

Ono will make an upfront payment to Neurimmune and cover research fees. Neurimmune will also receive development milestones and royalties on product sales. 

Translating Genetic Info from Immune Cells into Antibody Candidates

Neurimmune’s RTM platform creates antibody candidates through the translation of genetic information from libraries of immune cells, extracted from selected individuals. 

The platform notably yielded aducanumab, better known as Aduhelm, a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Aducanumab was derived from a library of B cells collected from healthy elderly subjects with no signs of cognitive impairment. The monoclonal antibody was licensed to Biogen, and was later controversially approved by the FDA in June 2021.(Indication?)

Another candidate discovered on the platform, NI006, was licensed to Alexion (AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease division) last week. NI006 targets misfolded transthyretin, the toxic accumulation of which damages the tissues and organs. It is being investigated in a Phase 1b trial for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, a deadly disease of the heart muscle. 

Related Article: GeneOnline’s Pick: Notable Novel FDA Approved Drugs in 2021

Ono Seeks to Expand Neurodegenerative Disease Portfolio

The deal with Neurimmune marks Ono’s first licensing deal of 2022, and indicates its intention to continue expanding in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. 

Last December, Ono extended its collaboration with Vanderbilt University, a private university in Nashville, Tennessee, to jointly identify compounds that will validate whether a therapeutic target can be found from a family of ion channels or transporters. The partnership was originally established in 2015. 

Ono is pursuing treatments for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy. It counts pharma companies such as Novartis and SK Biopharmaceuticals among its collaborators.  

Related Article: SK Biopharm Spinout Launches with $180 Million to Bring Neuroscience Drugs to China

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Joy Lin

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