AbbVie Acquires Aliada Therapeutics for $1.4 Billion

AbbVie has announced its acquisition of Aliada Therapeutics for $1.4 billion, aiming to bolster its neuroscience pipeline with the addition of ALIA-1758, an experimental antibody targeting Alzheimer’s disease. This drug, currently in Phase I trials, utilizes a unique delivery platform designed to facilitate the transport of therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier, potentially improving treatment efficacy. The acquisition follows AbbVie's decision to halt its own Alzheimer’s treatment development earlier this year, and analysts view the deal as a strategic move into a vital therapeutic area amid competition from companies like Eli Lilly and Biogen. ALIA-1758 seeks to target pyroglutamate amyloid beta, similar to recently approved therapies, but with a distinct mechanism aimed at enhancing delivery to affected brain tissues. The deal, expected to close by the end of 2024, reflects AbbVie's commitment to addressing unmet needs in neurological diseases and could signify a vote of confidence in the amyloid-targeting approach at a time of heightened scrutiny in the field.