Novartis and Amgen to collaborate on neuroscience research

Novartis has announced a new collaboration with Amgen that aims to commercialise and develop pioneering neuroscience treatments.

The partnership will focus on a BACE inhibitor development programme for Alzheimer's disease, with Novartis' oral therapy CNP520 to be the lead molecule. Further compounds from both companies' preclinical BACE inhibitor libraries may be considered later.

Additionally, the collaboration will focus on new Amgen drugs in the migraine field, including the phase III compound AMG 334 and the early-stage phase I candidate AMG 301.

Under the terms of the arrangement, Novartis and Amgen will share responsibilities for development and commercialisation of the BACE inhibitor programme, while Novartis will receive global co-development and commercial rights outside the US, Canada and Japan for the migraine therapies.

David Epstein, head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said: "This Novartis collaboration with Amgen highlights our clear commitment to neuroscience and to bring multiple new targeted therapies to patients living with Alzheimer's disease and migraine, where the unmet medical need remains high."

Novartis is currently focused on strengthening its neuroscience capabilities, having acquired Spinifex Pharmaceuticals in July and purchased full rights to ofatumumab from GlaxoSmithKline last month.