Novartis announces global partnership with Amgen to develop and commercialize pioneering neuroscience treatments

Novartis International AG / Novartis announces global partnership with Amgen to develop and commercialize pioneering neuroscience treatments . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• The companies plan to co-develop and co-commercialize a BACE inhibitor program in Alzheimer's Disease (AD); Novartis' oral therapy CNP520 will be the lead molecule
   

Novartis and Amgen also plan to co-develop and co-commercialize Amgen's migraine portfolio, including fully human monoclonal antibody AMG 334 with first phase III data expected in 2017
 

Partnership reinforces Novartis' continued commitment to developing and bringing innovative neuroscience treatment options to patients

Basel, September 1, 2015 - Novartis announced today that it has entered into a global collaboration with Amgen to commercialize and develop pioneering neuroscience treatments. The companies will partner in the development and commercialization of a BACE inhibitor program in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Novartis' oral therapy CNP520 will be the lead molecule and further compounds from both company's pre-clinical BACE inhibitor programs may be considered as follow-on molecules. The collaboration will also focus on new Amgen drugs in the migraine field, including phase III AMG 334 and phase I AMG 301. For the migraine program, Novartis will have global co-development rights and commercial rights outside the U.S., Canada, and Japan.

"This Novartis collaboration with Amgen highlights our clear commitment to neuroscience and to bring multiple, new targeted therapies to patients living with Alzheimer's disease and migraine, where the unmet medical need remains high." said David Epstein, Head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Alzheimer's Disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease characterized by loss of memory and other cognitive abilities. Amyloid build-up is considered a key driver of the progressive damage of the nervous system in AD. CNP520 is an oral drug designed to prevent the production of different forms of amyloid and has the potential to prevent, slow or delay the symptoms associated with AD. It is currently in phase I/IIa trials. CNP520 is planned to be included in a pioneering prevention study in people with a genetic risk of developing AD, in collaboration with the Banner Alzheimer's Institute.