Last summer, Vancouver-based Alpha Cognition —a biopharmaceutical company with a North Texas office in Frisco—received FDA approval for its ZUNVEYL oral therapy to treat mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Today marked the drug’s commercial launch, 

ZUNVEYL, the brand name for benzgalantamine, is a next-generation acetylcholinesterase inhibitor approved in the U.S. for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The drug is designed to provide “a differentiated treatment option” for patients who may have limited options, the company said.

ZUNVEYL [Image: Alpha Cognition]

“The launch of ZUNVEYL is a game-changer in our fight against Alzheimer’s disease,” Lauren D’Angelo, COO and chief commercial officer at Alpha Cognition, said in a statement. “Our team has worked relentlessly to bring this treatment to market—from building out an industry-leading infrastructure to hiring a top notch sales team—all in record time. I’m incredibly proud of the dedication and expertise of our team, and we are excited to partner with healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive the care they deserve.”

ZUNVEYL is designed to provide a differentiated treatment option for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, offering an alternative for those who may have limited options. With the commercial launch now underway, Alpha Cognition is engaging with healthcare providers, payers, and caregivers to support patient access and education. Patients can now access ZUNVEYL in three doses (5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg) through a prescription that can be filled at pharmacies nationwide.

Addressing a ‘$2 billion market opportunity’

The company’s commercial strategy is “specifically designed” to address the unique challenges of the long-term care market—said to be the largest segment for Alzheimer’s disease—and what Alpha Cognition calls “a $2 billion market opportunity.”

The company said it has a highly experienced commercial team in place for the launch, “including industry leaders with proven success in the long-term care market.” Its nationwide salesforce is “fully deployed and actively engaging with healthcare providers to ensure that ZUNVEYL reaches the patients who need it most,” the company added.

Alpha Cognition’s commercial team has deep expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and long-term care. with an average of 16 years of industry sales experience and 10 years of experience selling in the long-term care market, the company said, adding that the team will be “focused on driving rapid adoption” of ZUNVEYL and ensuring that patients have access to the drug from day one.

A $44M licensing agreement for commercialization in Asia

In January, Alpha Cognition announced a $44 million licensing agreement with China Medical System Holdings Limited (CMS), a platform company linking pharmaceutical innovation and commercialization with “strong product lifecycle management capability” in the People’s Republic of China.

The exclusive licensing agreement is for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of ZUNVEYL in Asia (excluding Japan), Australia, and New Zealand.

“With their strong track record of developing and commercializing CNS therapies in China, we believe CMS is the ideal partner to advance ZUNVEY’s regulatory development in a region where 50 million people are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease,” Alpha Cognition CEO Michael McFadden said in a statement at the time.

Alpha Cognition said it’s now engaging with healthcare providers, payers, and caregivers to support patient access and education. Patients can access ZUNVEYL in three doses (5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg) through a prescription that can be filled at pharmacies nationwide, the company noted.

Don’t miss what’s next. Subscribe to Dallas Innovates.

Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.