Roche's Genentech unit has signed a licensing agreement with U.S. biotech firm Alector for AL050, a preclinical Parkinson's disease therapy. The deal has a potential total value of $1.27 billion, including a $100 million upfront payment to Alector and up to $1.17 billion in development, regulatory, and sales milestones.
Genentech gains exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize AL050. The experimental enzyme replacement therapy is designed to address a deficiency in glucocerebrosidase (GCase), which is linked to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease.
AL050 uses Alector's proprietary technology, designed to deliver the therapy across the blood-brain barrier, a challenge in treating neurodegenerative diseases.