Prothena, Roche deal

Prothena and Roche partnered to co-develop and co-commercialize mAbs targeting alpha synuclein (SNCA), including Prothena's PRX002, which is in preclinical development for Parkinson's disease and other synuclein-related diseases. Prothena will receive $45 million in an undisclosed upfront payment and a near-term milestone payment tied to the start of a Phase I trial of PRX002; the trial is slated to start next half. Roche and Prothena will share U.S. costs and profits 70/30, and Prothena has an option to co-promote PRX002 in the U.S. Roche will be responsible for development and commercialization of PRX002 outside the U.S. Prothena is eligible for up to $555 million in milestones, including $175 million in ex-U.S. commercial milestones, plus double-digit royalties on ex-U.S. sales. Additionally, Prothena and Roche will work to optimize early stage antibodies targeting SNCA, including using Roche's brain shuttle technology. Roche said the technology engages a receptor on cells that make up blood vessels and triggers a process called receptor-mediated transcytosis. ...