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Global Tauopathies Treatment Market: Key Developments

On February 12 2020, Oligomerix, Inc., a U.S.-based biotechnology company focused on developing disease-modifying and treatment therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, presented efficacy data in two pre-clinical models of tauopathy. The findings were presented by the company at the TAU2020 Global Conference. According to Oligomerix’s findings, their lead compound decreased soluble levels of tau self-association and caused a dose-dependent drop of insoluble as well as phosphorylated insoluble tau aggregates in the tau mice brains, which represents tauopathy in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

On January 13, 2020, Biogen Inc., a U.S.-based biotechnology company announced the acquisition of Alzheimers and Parkinson’s disease assets from Pfizer Inc., a U.S.-based multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation for US$ 710 million. Biogen is buying novel CNS penetrate inhibitor of casein kinase 1 (CK1) to develop for patients with behavioral and neurological symptoms in various psychiatric and neurologic diseases. Biogen Inc. indicates its initial focus will be to develop the Phase I compound for Sundowning in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Irregular Sleep Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD) in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Under the terms of the deal, Biogen Inc. is paying Pfizer Inc. US$ 75 million upfront with up to US$ 635 million in various milestones, as well as tiered royalties in the high single digits to sub-teens.

On April 13, 2023, Walgreen Co., a U.S.-based pharmacy store chain, announced a collaboration with Prothena, an Ireland-based biotechnology company to accelerate patient identification and recruitment for Prothena’s ongoing ASCENT-2 multiple ascending dose clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of PRX012, a potential best-in-class anti-amyloid beta antibody under development for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. As part of the collaboration, Walgreens Co. will leverage its national footprint, portfolio of industry-leading healthcare companies and compliance framework to match patient populations to this Prothena clinical trial for PRX012, which has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

On June 7, 2021, U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Aduhelm (aducanumab) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers evaluated Aduhelm’s efficacy in three separate studies representing a total of 3,482 patients. The patients receiving treatment has significant dose and time dependent reduction of amyloid beta plaque, while patients in the control arm of the studies had no reduction of amyloid beta plaque. Amyloid beta plaque was quantified using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging to estimate the brain levels of amyloid beta plaque in a composite of brain regions expected to be widely affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Global Tauopathies Treatment Market: Key Trends

Partnerships between organizations to spread awareness

Partnerships between organizations to spread awareness can drive the market growth. For instance, on October 31, 2022, on occasion of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, 2022 U.S. government launched the transformational Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) at the National Institutes of Health,U.S. government organization which is investing a billion dollars in cutting-edge research to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer’s and other deadly diseases. Modeled on the Pentagon program that brought game-changing technologies like the Internet and GPS, ARPA-H will support bold ideas that neither traditional research nor the private sector is willing to pursue, driving new biomedical breakthroughs. At the same time, the Department of Health and Human Services is investing in research and technology that can keep Alzheimer’s patients living longer in their own homes; training caregivers to support them; and educating Americans about early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, dementia risks, and brain health generally. U.S. Government also announced the Inflation Reduction Act, which will protect Alzheimer’s patients from high bills at the pharmacy by capping what they pay at US$ 2,000 per year.

Funding to advance neurodegenerative diseases treatment research

Funding to advance neurodegenerative diseases treatment research can drive the growth of the market. On March 28, 2023, Mayo Clinic, a U.S.-based non-profit academic medical center focused on integrated health care, education, and research received US$ 41 million in new federal funding for three multiethnic projects to identify targets for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The new research program seeks to identify the next generation of precision medicine biomarkers and potential novel therapeutic targets of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in multiethnic populations. The program, called Centrally-Linked Longitudinal Peripheral Biomarkers of AD in Multiethnic Populations (CLEAR-AD), will be funded by a five-year grant from the National Institute on Aging, division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The grant is expected to total US$ 41 million.