Summary:
Muna Therapeutics collaborates with GSK for Alzheimer's research, potentially worth hundreds of millions.
GSK provides 33.5 million euros upfront and up to 140 million euros in milestone payments.
Muna will analyze brain tissue samples to identify new drug targets for Alzheimer's.
This partnership represents a pivotal moment for both Muna and Alzheimer's research.
GSK is returning to neuroscience after over a decade, focusing on brain diseases.
Unveiling New Frontiers in Alzheimer's Research
Inside every human cell lies a treasure trove of genetic code that directs the creation of proteins. For the past four years, Muna Therapeutics, a small biotechnology company, has been on a mission to uncover new treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis by meticulously analyzing these genetic instructions.
A Major Collaboration
Recently, Muna Therapeutics received a significant boost as it announced a collaboration with GSK, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. This partnership could potentially be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Muna is set to examine brain tissue samples from various sources, including healthy individuals, Alzheimer's patients, and even centenarians, to identify new targets for Alzheimer’s drugs.
Financial Commitment
As part of the agreement, GSK will provide 33.5 million euros (approximately $35 million) upfront, along with up to 140 million euros in milestone payments for each target successfully identified. Muna will be tasked with discovering and validating these molecular switches, while also expanding its dataset derived from brain tissue samples.
The Path Forward
Once the targets are verified, GSK will take the lead on drug development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Muna may also earn tiered royalties from any resulting products.
Background on Muna Therapeutics
Founded in 2020 with support from Novo Seeds, Muna Therapeutics merged with another startup, K5 Therapeutics, and launched with $73 million in funding from notable investors, including Sofinnova Partners and Polaris Partners. CEO Rita Balice-Gordon described the collaboration with GSK as a “pivotal moment” in both the company’s evolution and the broader Alzheimer’s research landscape.
GSK's Renewed Focus on Neuroscience
For GSK, this collaboration marks a return to neuroscience, an area the company had largely abandoned over a decade ago. GSK has been gradually increasing its involvement in brain drug development, including past agreements to develop drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. GSK’s head of respiratory and immunology R&D, Kaivan Khavandi, emphasized that Muna’s technology can help understand the genetic and cellular basis of neurodegenerative diseases, showcasing GSK’s commitment to using data and platform technology to identify disease-causing targets.
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