Akili & Shionogi partnership to bring new digital therapeutics to Asia

	The new strategic partnership would see the two enterprises collaborate on the development & commercialization of digital therapeutics in crucial Asian markets.
	 
	Potential & upfront milestone payments to Akili for the Taiwan & Japan commercialization are being valued at $125 million.


Akili Interactive (Akili), an American digital medicine company, has reportedly signed a strategic partnership agreement with research-driven Japanese pharmaceutical company, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Shionogi) to develop & commercialize digital therapeutics across key markets in Asia.

The collaboration is reportedly to enable the commercialization of Akili’s digital medicines dubbed as AKL-T01 & the AKL-T02, in Taiwan as well as Japan.

According to a press release by Akili Interactive, the AKL-T01 is presently being reviewed by the United States Food & Drug Administration (U.S. FDA), which is determining its credibility as a potential digital therapy for children suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Meanwhile, the AKL-T02 is in the late stages of development and could be used as a potential therapy for cognitive dysfunction & related symptoms for children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Both digital treatments are delivered to the patients through immersive action videogames.

The partnership reportedly leverages both enterprise’s unique capabilities to develop a new commercial model & deploy a new class of therapy to the intended patients. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, Shionogi would be responsible for both medicine’s regulatory filings. Moreover, Shionogi would also possess the exclusive rights for the clinical development, marketing & sales of both digital therapeutics across Taiwan & Japan.

Shionogi would reportedly be making an upfront payment totaling $20 million to Akili as part of the deal. Additionally, Akili would also be eligible for substantial commercial & development milestone payments to the tune of $105 million along with significant royalties on both product’s sales in Taiwan & Japan.

According to reports, Akili would be retaining the exclusive global rights for the development & commercialization of both digital therapies across all territories outside of Taiwan & Japan.