AbbVie has finalized its acquisition of Aliada Therapeutics, securing ALIA-1758, an Alzheimer's treatment currently in Phase 1 trials, and Aliada's innovative CNS drug delivery platform. The move, completed in December 2024, reinforces AbbVie's commitment to neuroscience and addresses the urgent need for effective Alzheimer's therapies.
The acquisition, initially announced in October, involved AbbVie acquiring Aliada’s outstanding equity for $1.4 billion in cash. ALIA-1758, the centerpiece of the deal, is an anti-pyroglutamate amyloid beta (3pE-Aβ) antibody that aims to modify the course of Alzheimer's disease. This investigational asset leverages Aliada's MODEL™ platform, designed to facilitate the crossing of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a significant hurdle in delivering drugs to the central nervous system (CNS).
Addressing a Critical Need
Alzheimer's disease presents a major public health challenge, affecting millions worldwide, with prevalence increasing as populations age. Dawn Carlson, MD, MPH, Vice President of Neuroscience Development at AbbVie, emphasized the company's dedication to advancing disease-modifying therapies like ALIA-1758. The acquisition not only brings a promising therapeutic candidate but also enhances AbbVie's R&D capabilities through Aliada's novel CNS drug delivery technology.
Michael Ryan, Chief Medical Officer of Aliada Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm about AbbVie's commitment to developing ALIA-1758 for Alzheimer's patients. He highlighted the MODEL™ platform's potential to transform the treatment of neurological diseases by efficiently delivering targeted drugs across the BBB, a common limitation for many CNS-targeted therapies.
Vyalev Approved for Parkinson's Disease
In related news, AbbVie recently announced FDA approval of Vyalev (foscarbidopa and foslevodopa) for treating motor function issues in adults with advanced Parkinson's disease. Vyalev is the first subcutaneous 24-hour infusion of levodopa-based therapy, offering a new non-surgical option for continuous drug delivery.
Robert A. Hauser, MD, MBA, Director of the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center at the University of South Florida, noted the limited treatment options for advanced Parkinson's disease. He highlighted Vyalev's potential to provide continuous levodopa delivery, addressing the declining effectiveness of oral medications as the disease progresses.
