Lundbeck & Otsuka to Collaborate on Developing Vaccine for Alzheimer’s

Japanese drugmaker Otsuka is teaming up with Danish Lundbeck to develop Lu AF20513, an investigational polyclonal antibody that targets the beta amyloid proteins characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. The vaccine, designed to provoke an immunogenic response in the elderly, is currently in preclinical development.

Under the deal, Otsuka will pay Lundbeck $5.4 million and Lundbeck will finance Phase I development costs. Following a Phase I trial, expected to begin in 2014, the companies will have the option to sign a joint commercialization agreement.

This is the drugmakers’ third joint project. A 5HT6 receptor antagonist to treat cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s patients and brexpiprazole, a drug that calms agitation, are currently in Phase III trials. — Lena Freund

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