Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Idec have entered into a collaboration to develop and commercialize two of Eisai’s clinical candidates for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), E2609 and BAN2401. Eisai also has an option to jointly develop and commercialize two of Biogen’s AD candidates, an anti-amyloid beta (Aβ) antibody BIIB037 and an anti-tau monoclonal antibody.
 
The collaboration will initially involve the co-development and commercialization of Eisai’s two candidates: E2609, a β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor, and BAN2401, an anti-Aβ antibody. These candidates have the potential to reduce Aβ plaques that form in the brains of patients with AD and to stop the formation of new plaques. Eisai will provide operational and regulatory support and will pursue marketing authorizations for both compounds worldwide. Eisai and Biogen will co-promote the products upon approval in the U.S. and the EU, and both companies will share R&D costs.
 
Eisai will receive an upfront payment and predetermined development and commercial milestones. Eisai is also eligible to receive an additional one-time payment from Biogen related to joint development and commercialization activities in Japan.
 
“This collaboration is a natural fit with our mission to develop therapies for patients with severe neurodegenerative diseases. Eisai’s candidates have demonstrated compelling early data and complement our AD research while extending our pipeline in this critical area,” said George A. Scangos, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Biogen Idec. “Eisai is a pioneer in successfully developing and commercializing AD treatments. This history, combined with their strong scientific heritage, geographical reach and unwavering commitment to the AD community, makes Eisai an excellent collaboration partner to help drive our mission.”
 
Eisai Co., Ltd. president and chief executive officer Haruo Naito added, “There exists an urgent need to develop AD therapies that suppress disease progression. Eisai remains deeply focused on the development of such therapies based on the knowledge and experience it has accumulated through its development of the anti-AD agent Aricept^®. Through our collaboration with Biogen Idec, a company that specializes in neurodegenerative diseases, I believe we will be able to further enhance our existing R&D capacities for developing next-generation AD treatments, thereby accelerating the development of promising therapies and increasing the benefits provided to patients with AD worldwide.”