Bristol Myers Squibb Exercises Option to Advance PRX005, a Best-in-Class Anti-Tau Antibody for Alzheimer’s Disease

Today, Prothena announced that Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has exercised an option under the parties' global neuroscience research and development collaboration agreement to secure U.S. development rights for PRX005, an investigational anti-Tau antibody therapy. The press release states that PRX005 is a potential "best-in-class" anti-Tau antibody that binds to the microtubule-binding region (MTBR) of the Tau protein, representing a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). A Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating PRX005 has been initiated.

Tau protein is a microtubule-binding protein. In the brains of AD patients, pathological neurofibrillary tangles resulting from the aggregation and hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein are one of the hallmark features of the patient's brain. The pathological characteristics of Tau protein are strongly correlated with neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment in AD patients. It is also a key target for AD drug development.

Previous preclinical studies have shown that pathogenic Tau protein can spread between neurons. By binding to the microtubule-binding domain of Tau protein, PRX005 is designed to block the cellular uptake of pathogenic Tau, thereby reducing downstream cytotoxicity.

▲PRX005 may block the cell-to-cell propagation of Tau protein by binding to it (Image source: Reference [2])

In AD mouse models, PRX005 not only reduces Tau pathology in the animals but also slows cognitive decline (see figure below).

Image source: Reference [2]

Under the collaboration agreement, Prothena will receive an $80 million payment and may be eligible for up to $1.7 billion in regulatory and commercial milestone payments.

Note: The original text has been abridged.

References:

[1] Prothena Announces Bristol Myers Squibb Opt-in of Anti-Tau PRX005 as the First Program from Global Neuroscience Research and Development Collaboration. Retrieved June 24, 2021, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/06/24/2252610/24041/en/Prothena-Announces-Bristol-Myers-Squibb-Opt-in-of-Anti-Tau-PRX005-as-the-First-Program-from-Global-Neuroscience-Research-and-Development-Collaboration.html

[2] Prothena at AD/PD 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021, from https://ir.prothena.com/static-files/1632a8b9-9c7c-425d-8156-a12783060be3

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