Eli Lilly has entered into a significant partnership worth up to $415 million with UK-based Alchemab Therapeutics for ATLX-1282, a promising antibody therapy candidate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative conditions.
The licensing agreement includes an undisclosed upfront payment along with potential discovery, development, and commercialization milestones, plus royalties. Under the terms, Alchemab will conduct early Phase 1 clinical trials before Lilly assumes responsibility for further development and commercialization efforts.
Innovative Discovery Platform Yields Promising ALS Candidate
ATLX-1282 was identified through Alchemab's cutting-edge platform that employs machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze human immune responses. The company's approach combines computational analysis with laboratory validation, drawing from over 6,000 high-quality human samples.
What makes this discovery particularly notable is its origin: researchers identified protective antibodies in individuals who carry genetic mutations typically associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) but who remained healthy into old age. These samples were sourced through a collaboration with the Genetic Frontotemporal Initiative (GENFI) consortium, which maintains the largest global cohort of FTD patients.
"This is a landmark transaction for Alchemab," said Dr. Jane Osbourn, CEO of Alchemab Therapeutics. "With Lilly's deep expertise in neurological conditions, they are ideally placed to speedily advance ATLX-1282 through the clinic, and maximize the potential to help patients. We believe this innovative program has enormous promise and look forward to working with Lilly to bring this to fruition."
From Antibody to Therapeutic Target
Starting with the antibody sequence identified in resilient individuals, Alchemab's scientists were able to identify the target and subsequently demonstrate its importance in neuroprotection across multiple neurodegenerative conditions, including both ALS and FTD.
This scientific approach represents a shift from traditional drug discovery methods. Rather than starting with a disease mechanism, Alchemab's platform identifies naturally occurring antibodies linked to disease resistance, potentially uncovering novel therapeutic targets that conventional approaches might miss.
Building on Existing Collaboration
This licensing deal builds upon a broader research collaboration between Alchemab and Lilly announced in January 2025, which aims to discover and develop up to five new ALS treatments. The partnership highlights the pharmaceutical industry's growing interest in leveraging AI and machine learning to accelerate drug discovery for challenging neurological conditions.
For patients with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, this collaboration represents a potentially significant development in a field where effective treatment options remain limited.
As ATLX-1282 advances toward clinical testing, the scientific community will be watching closely to see if this novel approach to antibody discovery can translate into meaningful therapeutic benefits for patients with devastating neurodegenerative diseases.
