{"id":22755,"date":"2026-06-17T21:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stocks-future.com\/?guid=d0d2ab3cf80b5bf63c90f96721eedcf7"},"modified":"2026-06-17T21:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T19:30:00","slug":"jcr-pharmaceuticals-announces-that-acumen-pharmaceuticals-has-exercised-its-exclusive-option-to-develop-therapeutic-candidates-for-alzheimers-disease-enabled-by-j-brain-cargo-technolog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/?p=22755","title":{"rendered":"JCR Pharmaceuticals Announces That Acumen Pharmaceuticals Has Exercised its Exclusive Option to Develop Therapeutic Candidates for Alzheimer\u2019s Disease, Enabled by J-Brain Cargo\u00ae Technology Platform"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n- Strategic partnership, announced in July 2025, utilizes JCR\u2019s J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup> to develop a novel blood-brain barrier-penetrating therapy targeting a pathological driver of Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/i><\/p>

\n- Option exercise puts Acumen\u2019s Enhanced Brain Delivery (EBD\u2122) program on track for IND filing in mid-2027<\/i><\/p>

HYOGO, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.<\/a> (TSE 4552; JCR), a global specialty biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing therapies for rare and genetic diseases, today announced that Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABOS) exercised its exclusive option to develop, manufacture, and commercialize, on a global basis, up to two candidates for development in the treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD), enabled by JCR\u2019s proprietary blood-brain barrier (BBB)-penetrating technology platform, J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/p><\/a><\/a>

\nThe partnership, announced in July 2025,<\/a> focuses on developing a BBB-penetrating treatment for AD that combines JCR\u2019s J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup> with Acumen\u2019s amyloid beta oligomer (A\u03b2O)-selective antibodies, which target toxic soluble A\u03b2Os, a key pathological driver in the onset and progression of AD. The collaborative program aims to demonstrate the feasibility of applying J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup> in delivering sabirnetug, Acumen\u2019s targeted immunotherapy drug candidate, and other A\u03b2O-selective antibodies across the BBB to slow the progression of AD pathology. Earlier this year, Acumen presented non-clinical data from a mouse model of AD at the International Conference<\/a> on Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s Diseases and Related Neurological Disorders,<\/a> which demonstrated that using A\u03b2O-selective antibodies with J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup> technology increased brain exposure while preserving target engagement as demonstrated by A\u03b2O selectivity. Acumen plans to file an investigational new drug application for this program in mid-2027.<\/p>

\nUnder the terms of the agreement, JCR will receive an option payment with Acumen\u2019s decision to exercise its exclusive option to develop, manufacture, and commercialize, on a global basis, up to two candidates from the collaboration. JCR will also be eligible to receive future milestone payments of up to USD 40 million related to development, and up to USD 515 million related to sales, for a total of up to USD 555 million (approximately JPY83.2 billion converted at the exchange rate of JPY 150 to USD). In addition, JCR is entitled to receive tiered royalties based on net sales for any products that emerge from the collaboration.<\/p>

\n\u201cWe're pleased that our strategic partner, Acumen Pharmaceuticals, opted to exercise its exclusive option to develop, manufacture, and commercialize, on a global basis, up to two candidates for the treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s disease,\u201d said Hiroyuki Sonoda, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of JCR Pharmaceuticals. \u201cAcumen continues to progress the collaborative development program in Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and the non-clinical data that Acumen reported earlier this year are truly encouraging. By combining our J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup> platform with Acumen\u2019s novel, A\u03b2O-selective antibodies, we aim to overcome the challenge of delivering biologics to the brain to potentially improve the ability to treat AD safely and effectively.\u201d<\/p>

\n\u201cAs we build on the strength of our sabirnetug program, we\u2019re pleased to exercise our exclusive option to develop, manufacture, and commercialize, on a global basis, up to two candidates for the treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s disease,\u201d said Daniel O\u2019Connell, Chief Executive Officer of Acumen Pharmaceuticals. \u201cBy pairing our A\u03b2O-selective antibody expertise with JCR\u2019s blood-brain barrier-penetrating technology, J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup>, we have the potential to deliver a next-generation therapeutic which could further expand and enhance the treatment paradigm for people living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease. We look forward to sharing updates when they are available.\u201d<\/p>

\nAD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting more than 50 million people globally and is a leading form of dementia. One of its defining pathological hallmarks is the accumulation of A\u03b2 in the brain, which are believed to trigger a cascade of events leading to neuronal damage, cognitive decline, and memory loss.1<\/sup> Delivering biologics across the BBB remains a fundamental obstacle to effectively treating the disease.<\/p>

\nJ-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup> is JCR\u2019s proprietary platform that enables the systemic delivery of biotherapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS) through a mechanism known as receptor-mediated transcytosis. The technology has been clinically validated with IZCARGO\u2122, the first approved drug in Japan to use the platform, for the treatment of a lysosomal storage disorder with CNS involvement. With broad potential to deliver a wide range of biologic therapies across the BBB, J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup> is a versatile platform for advancing treatments for complex CNS conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases. The J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup> technology platform has a well-established safety profile through several non-clinical studies, clinical trials and marketing experience in Japan.<\/p>

\nThe impact of this announcement on JCR's consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, has already been factored into the current earnings forecast.<\/p>

\nAbout Alzheimer\u2019s Disease\n<\/b>Alzheimer\u2019s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting more than 50 million people globally and is a leading cause of dementia. One of its defining pathological features is the accumulation of amyloid-beta (A\u03b2) in the brain, and increasing evidence highlights soluble A\u03b2 oligomers as a particularly neurotoxic species that are thought to trigger a cascade of events leading to neuronal damage, cognitive decline, and memory loss.1<\/sup><\/p>

\nAbout the J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup> Platform Technology\n<\/b>JCR Pharmaceuticals has developed a proprietary blood-brain barrier-penetrating technology, J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup>, to bring biotherapeutics into the central nervous system. The first drug developed based on this technology is IZCARGO\u2122 (INN: pabinafusp alfa), which was approved in Japan for the treatment of a lysosomal storage disorder (LSD). With J-Brain Cargo\u00ae<\/sup>, JCR seeks to address the unresolved clinical challenges of LSDs by delivering the enzyme to both the body and the brain.<\/p>

\nAbout JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.\n<\/b>JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (TSE 4552) is a global specialty pharmaceutical company that develops treatments that go beyond rare diseases to solve the world\u2019s most complex healthcare challenges. We continue to build upon our 50-year legacy in Japan while expanding our global footprint into the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. We improve patients\u2019 lives by applying our scientific expertise and unique technologies to research, develop, and deliver next-generation therapies. Our approved products in Japan include therapies for the treatment of growth disorder, MPS II (Hunter syndrome), Fabry disease, acute graft-versus host disease, and renal anemia. Our investigational products in development worldwide are aimed at treating rare diseases including MPS I (Hurler, Hurler-Scheie and Scheie syndrome), MPS II, MPS IIIA and B (Sanfilippo syndrome type A and B), and more. Our core values \u2013 Putting people first, Forging our own path, Always advancing, and Committed to excellence \u2013 mean that the work we do benefits all our stakeholders, including partners, patients and employees. We strive to expand the possibilities for patients while accelerating medical advancement at a global level. For more information, please visit JCR\u2019s global website: https:\/\/jcrpharm.com\/.<\/a><\/p>

\nAbout Sabirnetug (ACU193)\n<\/b>Sabirnetug (ACU193) is a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) discovered and developed based on its selectivity for soluble amyloid beta oligomers (A\u03b2Os), which are a highly toxic and pathogenic form of A\u03b2, relative to A\u03b2 monomers and amyloid plaques. Soluble A\u03b2Os have been observed to be potent neurotoxins that bind to neurons, inhibit synaptic function, and induce neurodegeneration. By selectively targeting toxic soluble A\u03b2Os, sabirnetug aims to address the hypothesis that soluble A\u03b2Os are an early and persistent underlying cause of the neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD). Sabirnetug has been granted Fast Track designation for the treatment of early AD by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in patients with early AD.<\/p>

\nAbout Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.\n<\/b>Acumen Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic that targets toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers (A\u03b2Os) for the treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD). Acumen\u2019s scientific founders pioneered research on A\u03b2Os, which a growing body of evidence indicates are early and persistent triggers of Alzheimer\u2019s disease pathology. Acumen is currently focused on advancing its investigational product candidate, sabirnetug (ACU193), a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets toxic soluble A\u03b2Os, in its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial ALTITUDE-AD (NCT06335173) in early symptomatic AD, following positive results in its Phase 1 trial INTERCEPT-AD. Acumen is investigating a subcutaneous formulation of sabirnetug using Halozyme\u2019s proprietary ENHANZE\u00ae<\/sup> drug delivery technology. Acumen is also collaborating with JCR Pharmaceuticals to develop an Enhanced Brain Delivery\u2122 (EBD\u2122)-enabled therapy for Alzheimer\u2019s disease utilizing a transferrin-receptor-targeting blood-brain barrier-penetrating technology. The company is headquartered in Newton, Mass. For more information, visit www.acumenpharm.com.<\/a><\/p>

\nCautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements\n<\/b><\/i>This document contains forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control. Forward-looking statements often contain words such as \u201cbelieve,\u201d \u201cestimate,\u201d \u201canticipate,\u201d \u201cintend,\u201d \u201cplan,\u201d \u201cwill,\u201d \u201cwould,\u201d \u201ctarget\u201d and similar references to future periods. All forward-looking statements regarding our plans, outlook, strategy and future business, financial performance and financial condition are based on judgments derived from the information available to us at this time. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to be materially different from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, a deterioration of economic conditions, a change in the legal or governmental system, a delay in launching a new product, impact on competitors\u2019 pricing and product strategies, a decline in marketing capabilities relating to our products, manufacturing difficulties or delays, an infringement of our intellectual property rights, an adverse court decision in a significant lawsuit and regulatory actions. This document involves information on pharmaceutical products (including those under development). However, it is not intended for advertising or providing medical advice. Furthermore, it is intended to provide information on our company and businesses and not to solicit investment in securities we issue. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly or to update the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, even if new information becomes <\/i>available in the future.<\/i><\/p>

\nReference<\/b><\/p>

    \n
  1. \nSadigh-Eteghad S, Sabermarouf B, Majdi A, Talebi M, Farhoudi M, Mahmoudi J. Amyloid-beta: a crucial factor in Alzheimer's disease. Med Princ Pract. 2015;24(1):1-10. www.doi.org\/10.1159\/000369101<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

    \n\u00a0<\/p> Contacts<\/b>

    \nInvestors & Media:\nJCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.\nCorporate Communications\nir-info@jp.jcrpharm.com<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    – Strategic partnership, announced in July 2025, utilizes JCR\u2019s J-Brain Cargo\u00ae to develop a novel blood-brain barrier-penetrating therapy targeting a pathological driver of Alzheimer\u2019s disease
    \n– Option exercise puts Acumen\u2019s Enhanced Brain Delivery (E…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-infos-businesswire"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22755"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22755\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22756,"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22755\/revisions\/22756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stocks-future.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}