AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals have announced a collaboration and option-to-license agreement aimed at developing next-generation therapies for psychiatric disorders. This partnership combines AbbVie’s psychiatric expertise with Gilgamesh’s innovative research platform to discover novel neuroplastogens.
Classic psychedelic compounds offer new mechanisms to address mental health issues, showing promise where other treatments have failed. However, their profound psychoactive effects, like hallucinations, necessitate in-office administration and supportive care.
Next-generation neuroplastogens target mechanisms providing significant clinical benefits while minimizing the challenging effects of first-generation compounds. These new compounds show promise for treating mood and anxiety disorders. Gilgamesh’s innovative research platform has identified lead compounds in this new class of therapeutics.
“Significant unmet need remains for people living with psychiatric disorders and we know that to innovate in this field, we need to pursue novel technologies and approaches,” said Jonathon Sedgwick, Ph.D., senior vice president and global head of discovery research at AbbVie. “We look forward to working with Gilgamesh’s world-class team to advance the development of novel neuroplastogens and pave the way for additional treatment approaches in psychiatry.”
“We are thrilled to partner with AbbVie, a global pharmaceutical company focused on innovation in psychiatric care, to address the pressing challenges in mental health treatment,” said Jonathan Sporn, M.D., CEO of Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals. “Our collaboration will pioneer research of a new generation of therapies that hold great potential for improving patient outcomes.”
Under the agreement, AbbVie and Gilgamesh will research and develop a portfolio of next-generation therapeutics for psychiatric disorders. Upon exercising the option, AbbVie will lead development and commercialization. Gilgamesh will receive an upfront payment of $65 million and up to $1.95 billion in option fees and milestones, plus tiered royalties on net sales.
AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions for serious health issues and address tomorrow’s medical challenges. AbbVie focuses on key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care, alongside its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information, visit www.abbvie.com. Follow AbbVie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage neuroscience biotech developing innovative new chemical entities (NCEs) targeting the root causes of psychiatric diseases. The company focuses on rapid-acting, durable, and disease-modifying therapies. Gilgamesh is advancing a diverse portfolio, including two lead clinical programs, GM-1020 and GM-2505, both in Phase 2 studies for Major Depressive Disorder. Learn more at www.gilgameshpharmaceutical.com.
Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking for the purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Factors include, but are not limited to, intellectual property challenges, competition, research and development difficulties, litigation, government action, and regulatory changes. More details on risks can be found in AbbVie’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to publicly revise forward-looking statements except as required by law.
