Lantheus is expanding its portfolio of PET imaging agents for Alzheimer’s disease with the acquisition of Meilleur Technologies. This deal grants Lantheus exclusive worldwide rights to Meilleur’s radiopharmaceutical diagnostic NAV-4694, currently in phase 3 development, which highlights beta amyloid plaques in the brain. The acquisition closely follows a significant policy proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which suggests a separate payment pathway for certain diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear medicine imaging agents, diverging from the traditional bundling approach. This policy shift, proposed for the 2025 calendar year, catalyzed a near 60% surge in Lantheus' stock price.
This acquisition aligns with recent developments in Alzheimer’s treatments, notably the FDA’s approval of Eli Lilly’s Kisunla (donanemab-abzt), a competitor to Biogen and Eisai’s Leqembi. Lantheus CEO Brian Markison emphasized that this acquisition underscores the company's commitment to neurology and radiopharmaceutical leadership. NAV-4694 is seen as a complement to Lantheus' existing PET agent MK-6240, targeting tau tangles in Alzheimer's patients. Together, these agents are poised to enhance insights into novel disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s, addressing the needs of an estimated 12 million individuals in the U.S. living with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease, a number expected to exceed 20 million by 2050.
The financial specifics of the acquisition were not disclosed, but the deal includes an upfront payment, additional R&D and commercial milestones, and royalties. Meilleur will also provide transitional clinical development services. Meilleur CEO Rick Hiatt expressed confidence in Lantheus’ capacity to advance NAV-4694 through pivotal trials to commercialization, enhancing early identification of Alzheimer’s patients and enabling timely therapeutic interventions.
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