Angelini Pharma Expands Neuroscience Portfolio with $550M+ Deal for Preclinical Brain Health Asset
Italian pharmaceutical company Angelini Pharma has entered into a significant licensing agreement with South Korean biotech firm Sovargen, securing rights to a promising preclinical asset for brain health conditions. The deal, valued at over $550 million, marks Angelini's latest move in strengthening its neuroscience pipeline and underscores the company's commitment to addressing unmet needs in neurological and mental health disorders.
Deal Structure and Financial Terms
Under the terms of the agreement, Angelini will gain exclusive licensing rights to SVG1051, Sovargen's investigational compound, in all territories except for certain regions of Asia. The deal includes:
- An undisclosed upfront payment to Sovargen
- Potential for additional $550 million in development and commercial milestone payments
- Royalties on future sales
Angelini will collaborate with Sovargen to advance SVG1051 through preclinical development, after which the Italian company will have the option to progress the asset into clinical trials and commercialization.
SVG1051: A Novel Approach to Brain Health
SVG1051 is an antisense oligonucleotide designed to target pathways for mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), an enzyme that has been genetically validated in several conditions, including drug-resistant childhood epilepsy. The compound shows potential across a range of "brain health" diseases, encompassing both neurological and mental health conditions.
Jacopo Andreose, CEO of Angelini Pharma, emphasized the significance of this development: "Neurological disorders like epilepsy are major contributors to global disease challenges. For example, many people living with epilepsy are still unable to reach seizure control despite combination treatment of several anti-seizure medications."
Angelini's Strategic Focus on Neuroscience
This latest agreement is part of Angelini's broader strategy to expand its presence in the neuroscience field. Over the past two years, the company has engaged in several partnerships focused on brain-related therapies:
- A $360 million biobucks deal with Cureverse in 2024 for a clinical-stage small molecule with potential in epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease
- Collaborations with Japanese biotech JCR Pharmaceuticals and OmniAB
- A recent partnership with Grin Therapeutics
These strategic moves highlight Angelini's commitment to addressing critical unmet needs in neurological and psychiatric disorders, positioning the company as a growing player in the neuroscience therapeutics landscape.
References
- Italy's Angelini inks $550M-plus pact for preclinical brain condition asset
Angelini Pharma has worked out a $550 million-plus biobucks deal to get its hands on a Korean biotech’s preclinical neuro asset.
Explore Further
What are the specific development and commercial milestone parameters that could trigger the $550 million payment in the Angelini-Sovargen deal?
What preclinical data is available for SVG1051, and how does it compare to existing therapies targeting the mTOR pathway in brain health disorders?
What is the competitive landscape for antisense oligonucleotide therapies in the field of neurological and mental health conditions?
How does Angelini Pharma's neuroscience focus align with its partnerships, such as those with Cureverse, JCR Pharmaceuticals, and OmniAB?
Are there other biopharma companies pursuing similar BD deals in the brain health space, and what distinguishes Angelini’s strategy from its competitors?