In a bid to bolster its pipeline, Biogen has partnered with Alectos Therapeutics to develop and commercialise glucocerebrosidase 2 (GBA2) inhibitors. The deal, which is worth up to US$722.5 M, gives Biogen access to Alectos’ GBA2 inhibitors that aim to treat Parkinson’s disease by maintaining an acidic pH required for lysosomal function. Interestingly, the deal will bolster Biogen’s neuro degenerative disease pipeline after a recent setback from its pipeline drug, BIIB078, in Alzheimer’s disease which failed to demonstrate clinical benefit in a Phase I study.