AlzeCure Pharma saw its stock surge after announcing a commercial partnership with Eli Lilly and Company centered on the Alzheimer’s program Alzstatin ACD680.
Shares of the Swedish biotech climbed 301.4% on Tuesday following the disclosure of a collaboration and out-licensing agreement that will transfer global rights for Alzstatin ACD680 to Lilly.
Under the terms disclosed, AlzeCure will receive an upfront payment of $10 million. The agreement also provides for additional development and commercial milestone payments and tiered mid-single digit royalties on future sales. The companies noted that the total value of the transaction, excluding royalty streams, may top $1 billion.
Alzstatin ACD680 is described as a gamma-secretase modulator. The compound is intended to reduce production of amyloid-beta protein Aβ42, which aggregates into the amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease, while increasing levels of shorter Aβ species, Aβ37 and Aβ38, that are considered benign and may limit Aβ42 aggregation.
"The agreement with Lilly is an important milestone for AlzeCure and Alzstatin," said Martin Jönsson, CEO of AlzeCure.
Johan Sandin, Chief Scientific Officer at AlzeCure, emphasized that the gamma-secretase modulators born from the Alzstatin platform are small-molecule drugs with a mechanism that has a strong genetic link to the disease.
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Swedish authorities under foreign direct investment regulations.
AlzeCure focuses on developing drug candidates for central nervous system disorders, with particular attention to Alzheimer’s disease and pain. The company is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market.
Market context
- The deal transfers global development and commercial rights for Alzstatin ACD680 to Eli Lilly, while AlzeCure retains a stream of future milestone and royalty payments.
- Upfront consideration to AlzeCure is $10 million; further payments depend on development and commercial outcomes.
- The transaction requires regulatory approval by Swedish authorities under foreign direct investment rules prior to closing.