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Roche bets on alpha-synuclein for Parkinson's

Nature Biotechnology volume 32, page 212 (2014)Cite this article

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“Under given conditions, the extent of alpha-synuclein aggregation is dominated by the rates of key steps in the series of reactions involved in the self-assembly process,” says Dobson (Cell 149, 1048–1059, 2012). An antibody that binds to alpha-synuclein may slow down one or more these reactions and inhibit the protein's ability to form aggregates, he explains. Antibody binding might also stimulate clearance of alpha-synuclein, reducing the probability that aggregates will form, Dobson adds.

PRX002 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the C-terminus of alpha-synuclein protein. The partners will take the experimental drug into phase 1 trials, in an agreement that includes using Roche's proprietary Brain Shuttle delivery technology to boost delivery of the antibodies into the brain. As part of the PRX002 deal, the Basel-based Roche will pay Prothena $45 million upfront. The Dublin-based biotech is also eligible to receive up to $380 million in development, regulatory and first commercial sales milestones, plus up to an additional $175 million in commercial milestones on sales outside of the US. In the US, Roche and Prothena will share development and commercialization costs in a ratio of 70% and 30%, respectively.

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    Gunjan Sinha

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Sinha, G. Roche bets on alpha-synuclein for Parkinson's. Nat Biotechnol 32, 212 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0314-212a

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