AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) has decided to end its partnership with BioArctic regarding the portfolio of alpha-synuclein antibodies, including ABBV-0805. BioArctic and AbbVie have joined hands since 2016 regarding the research and development of BioArctic's portfolio of alpha-synuclein antibodies for Parkinson's disease and other potential indications.
A Phase 1 study of the key asset, ABBV-0805, was started in 2019, and the results, which were revealed at the International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders (MDS) in September 2021, supported moving into Phase 2 with once-monthly dosing.
Previously, in September 2016, BioArctic announced a strategic collaboration with AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a worldwide biopharmaceutical company, to develop and commercialize BioArctic's portfolio of antibodies directed against alpha-synuclein for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and additional potential indications.
Parkinson's disease is the world's second most common neurological condition, impacting over 10 million individuals. The development of Parkinson's disease is significantly tied to mutations in alpha-synuclein. Soluble aggregates of the protein alpha-synuclein are poisonous to neurons and cause the disease's characteristic deposits.
"We are upset with AbbVie's decision. ABBV-0805 offers a unique high selectivity for the pathogenic forms of aggregated alpha-synuclein, according to all available data, and Phase 1 evidence supports advancement to Phase 2. We believe ABBV-0805 has the ability to become a disease-modifying medication for people with Parkinson's disease, and we'll now look into ways to keep developing it "BioArctic's CEO, Gunilla Osswald, adds.