Roche's Neuroscience Franchise Gets Lift From Huntington's Breakthrough

Roche is aiming to bolster its future neuroscience franchise with another potential breakthrough product in neurology to add to its clinical-stage efforts in Alzheimer's disease, and its success in developing the first therapy for primary progressive multiple sclerosis, Ocrevus.

Brain
Enlarged ventricles and nerve atrophy seen in Huntington's patients • Source: Shutterstock

Following the release of favorable Phase I/IIa results with Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s antisense compound, IONIS-HTTRx, in patients with Huntington's disease on Dec. 11, analysts have been positive about Roche's decision to exercise its option on the drug, with the big pharma now being responsible for all future development and commercial activities.

"The Roche decision is a win for Ionis," said analysts at Leerink, who estimated the market for Huntington's disease

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