Eisai Co., Ltd. and BioArctic Neuroscience Inc. signed a strategic alliance agreement to develop an immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease. Based on this agreement, Eisai will obtain first right of refusal for drug candidates developed resulting from the research.

BioArctic Neuroscience Inc. is a biotech company that was established in January, 2003, with the aim of industrial application of Alzheimer's disease research by Prof. Lannfelt, Uppsala University, who is an internationally well-known Alzheimer's disease researcher.

Currently, Prof. Lannfelt's group is conducting basic research to further advance knowledge about the Arctic mutation of A, for immunotherapy in Alzheimer's disease. Arctic mutation of A is a mutation discovered by Prof. Lannfelt in 2001. It causes familial Alzheimer's disease and pathophysiologically shows very similar lesions to those found in non-familial Alzheimer's disease. In this respect, Arctic mutation of A is expected to be applied to evaluate efficacy in a wide range of Alzheimer's disease treatment. The research will be carried out mainly by BioArctic Neuroscience and Prof. Lannfelt.

According to the company release, with the BioArctic Neuroscience agreement, Eisai wishes to gain a new immunotherapy in drug treatment of Alzheimer's disease cut out by Aricept, and lead to a novel, beneficial treatment for Alzheimer's disease.