Alzinova develops disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The company’s technology enables specific targeting of toxic accumulations of amyloid-beta – oligomers – without affecting the harmless forms of the protein. The lead candidate, ALZ-101, is a therapeutic vaccine designed to stimulate the body’s own immune system to neutralize these toxic substances, thereby protecting the brain’s synapses.
Unlocking clinical development in the region
The newly signed Letter of Intent marks the beginning of a process to potentially include Saudi Arabia in Alzinova’s upcoming clinical program. The counterparty is described as a leading healthcare provider active across several segments, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and advanced healthcare solutions.
The agreement aims to establish a framework for conducting parts of the global Phase II study of ALZ-101 in the country. Initial work will focus on evaluating infrastructural and financial conditions, including regulatory preparations, support during clinical startup, and the establishment of a joint working group to drive the project forward.
Focus on financing and long-term partnership
In the longer term, there is also an ambition to evaluate opportunities for joint development of both ALZ-101 and the complementary antibody ALZ-201 through all clinical phases. The letter of intent also includes commercialization and evaluation of investment structures, indicating that discussions are moving towards a broad and long-term strategic partnership.
Strategic matching in a growing market
When competition for capital is at its highest in traditional markets in the West, Alzinova is making an unconventional move and instead opening the door to a capital-rich region that is investing aggressively to become a global hub in life science and diseases of aging.
The urgent need for new therapies for Alzheimer's is clearly evident in a recent report from Economist ImpactThe report predicts that the number of people living with dementia globally will increase by almost 900 percent by 2050. The situation in Saudi Arabia is highlighted specifically, where around 130,000 people are living with the disease today. At the same time, the country lacks a comprehensive national strategy and specialist care, creating a great need for international expertise.
Against this backdrop, Alzinova’s decision to seek a location here makes sense. The Vision 2030 reform program is investing massive amounts in modernizing healthcare – the letter of intent positions Alzinova at the heart of this effort. Although the agreement is non-binding, it indicates that Alzinova has found an opening where the company’s financing needs and clinical infrastructure match Saudi Arabia’s ambitions.
In a comment to BioStock, Alzinova's CEO Tord Labuda says:
– Through this letter of intent, we are taking a small but concrete step to reduce the financing risk at a crucial stage for Alzinova. Our biggest challenge is to secure financing until the Phase II readout for ALZ-101, and here a collaboration in Saudi Arabia can be an important piece of the puzzle. At the same time, we continue to work broadly with both local, regional and global partnerships – where this collaboration can become a local component of a larger global structure around ALZ-101 and ALZ-201.
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