Roche’s recent decision to return the rights to UCB’s anti-tau antibody bepranemab comes after a four-year investment in the Alzheimer’s disease drug candidate, which was initially valued at up to $2 billion in milestones. This strategic move happens just before the release of phase 2a data for the drug, with results that UCB described as “encouraging” but which evidently fell short of Roche’s expectations.
Initially, UCB licensed bepranemab (formerly known as UCB0107) to Roche and its Genentech unit in 2020. UCB conducted a proof-of-concept study in Alzheimer’s disease, paving the way for Roche and Genentech to determine the drug’s future. However, the study’s outcome led Roche to opt out and return the rights back to UCB.
Azad Bonni, Ph.D., global head of neuroscience and rare diseases at Roche, offered remarks that hinted at potential reservations within the company during Roche’s Pharma Day 2024. Bonni suggested that while targeting the mid-domain region of tau seemed optimal, bepranemab’s mechanism and the collaboration with UCB didn’t meet Roche’s criteria, leading to the termination of the partnership.
This is not an isolated occurrence for Roche. Earlier this year, Roche abandoned other tau-related candidates. Genentech ended its long-term partnership with AC Immune, discarding antibodies crenezumab and semorinemab after unpromising phase 2 and 3 data. Despite these setbacks, Roche remains committed to the tau pathology field, demonstrated by its agreement with Sangamo Therapeutics involving a $50 million investment to leverage Sangamo’s DNA-binding technology against tau.
The broader industry context shows a sustained interest in tau-related therapies. Companies like Eisai are advancing their anti-tau antibody E2814 in combination with Leqembi, and Johnson & Johnson is developing a candidate designed to enable the body to produce specific antibodies against pathological tau forms. This illustrates a diverse approach within the industry to tackle Alzheimer’s disease through various tau-targeting methodologies.
In conclusion, Roche’s strategic decision to withdraw its investment in bepranemab reflects the complex and uncertain path of Alzheimer’s drug development. While UCB remains optimistic about bepranemab, the broader trend indicates a cautious yet varied approach to Alzheimer’s therapy. Pharmaceutical companies continue to explore multiple avenues to address this challenging disease, underscoring Roche’s ongoing commitment to finding viable Alzheimer’s interventions despite recent terminations.
