Prothena

History

2021: Novo Nordisk bought Prothena for $1.2 billion

In mid-July 2021, it became known that Novo Nordisk bought the developer of the drug for the treatment of cardiomyopathy Protena for $1.2 billion. As a result, Novo Nordisk acquired the drug PRX004, which is in the clinical stage of development, as well as a wider development program for the treatment of familial amyloid cardiomyopathy.

PRX004 is an immunotherapeutic drug whose use should reduce amyloid deposits in patients with familial amyloid cardiomyopathy, a rare and fatal disease. Familial amyloid cardiomyopathy is characterized by abnormal accumulation of amyloid deposits consisting of incorrectly folded transthyretin protein in various organs and tissues, most often in the heart and/or nervous system. Prothena has already completed a phase 1 trial of PRX004 in patients with inherited forms of amyloid cardiomyopathy, in which PRX004 has proven to be a safe and well tolerated drug.

Novo Nordisk bought Prothena for $1.2 billion

Thanks to an innovative mechanism, PRX004 can offer a new treatment option for familial amyloid cardiomyopathy - a deadly disease that requires significant spending and resources from healthcare, "said Marcus Schindler, chief research officer and executive vice president of research and early development at Novo Nordisk. - This acquisition was the result of Prothena's pioneering work in the field of amyloidosis therapy and Novo Nordisk's desire to develop new treatments for cardiovascular disease.

Under the terms of the final purchase agreement, Novo Nordisk receives all intellectual property rights and related Protena rights in the field of family amyloid cardiomyopathy therapy. Prothena is entitled to receive interim payments in the field of drug development and sales totaling up to $1.2 billion, including $100 million in advance and short-term payments based on the results of clinical trials.^[1]

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