AbbVie and Alvine to develop coeliac disease therapy

AbbVie has entered into a global collaboration with Alvine Pharmaceuticals to develop an investigational oral therapy for coeliac disease.

ALV003 is an innovative compound composed of two recombinant gluten-specific enzymes that can degrade gluten, allowing it to reduce the symptoms and intestinal injury associated with coeliac disease among patients adhering to a gluten-free diet.

Currently undergoing phase II testing, the drug has demonstrated promise in early trials and could potentially become the first approved therapeutic treatment for this patient group.

Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will make an initial upfront payment of $70 million (46.12 million pounds) for an exclusive option to either acquire the assets relating to ALV003 or the equity of Alvine Pharmaceuticals.

Dr Scott Brun,vice-president for pharmaceutical development at AbbVie, said: "AbbVie has significant experience within immunology and gastroenterology and the exclusive option to acquire this asset complements AbbVie's broad mid-stage pipeline."

During the first quarter of 2013, AbbVie recorded a 3.7 percent year-on-year sales increase, representing a promising start for the company since its split from Abbott at the beginning of the year.