Biogen and Eisai expand Alzheimer's collaboration

Japanese and US pharma majors Eisai (TYO: 4523) and Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB) say they have expanded their existing agreement to jointly develop and commercialize investigational Alzheimer’s disease treatments.

Under the terms of the agreement Eisai has exercised its option to co-develop and co-promote aducanumab, Biogen’s investigational anti-amyloid beta (Aβ) antibody for patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Perhaps surprisingly, shares of Biogen dipped 2.35% to$330.20 by mid-morning trading today.

Phase III data for aducanumab is expected in late 2019 or early 2020. This "could be one of the first disease-modifying drugs to reach the market," Goldman Sachs analyst Terence Flynn wrote in a note to clients back in the summer. Mr Flynn envisages peak sales of $12 billion for aducanumab.