Astrazeneca, Takeda Establish Collaboration to Develop, Commercialize MEDI1341

AstraZeneca and Takeda have entered an agreement to jointly develop and commercialize MEDI1341, an alpha-synuclein antibody currently in development as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) is an aggregation-prone protein that contributes to the development of PD. This protein is the major constituent of Lewy bodies, which are pathological protein aggregates that accumulate in the nerve cells of patients with PD and appear to spread throughout the nervous system during the progression of the disease. These insights support the development of new PD medicines that seek to remove existing pathological alpha-synuclein aggregates, prevent their formation, or stop them from spreading. Such therapies could potentially prevent or delay the onset of PD, or halt or slow its progression.

MEDI1341 is an antibody that is differentiated by its high affinity, high selectivity and reduced effector function (lower interaction with the immune system), which has the potential to achieve a better efficacy and safety profile than other alpha-synuclein antibodies. MEDI1341 is due to enter Phase I clinical trials later this year.

"Today there are no medicines that can slow or halt the degenerative progress of Parkinson's disease so this remains a large area of unmet medical need," Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, Innovative Medicines & Early Development Biotech Unit and Global Business Development at AstraZeneca, said. "Takeda has an excellent track record in neuroscience research and we are excited to be working together. By combining our scientific expertise and sharing the risks and cost of development, we hope to accelerate the advancement of MEDI1341 as a promising new approach to support the treatment of people with Parkinson’s disease around the world."