RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – GlaxoSmithKline is committing up to $2.2 billion for potential drugs to treat Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s as well as other diseases in a deal announced Friday with drug firm Alector.

The deal includes $700 million in upfront cash and royalties of as much as $1.5 billion.

“Our focus on human genetics and the science of the immune system gives us unique insights into the potential of targets such as progranulin to help patients with a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Working with Alector’s world class scientists will allow us to investigate the potential of these immuno-neurology therapies to help patients with frontotemporal dementia, a devastating disease without any currently approved treatments, as well as explore the ability to help patients with other neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.” said Hal Barron, chief scientific officer and president of R&D at GSK, in a statement.

“GSK and Alector will develop two of the U.S. company’s experimental treatments that target a protein called progranulin, to fight off neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, which affect the nervous system and can cause problems with regular mental and physical functioning,” Reuters reported.

The deal comes as GSK continues to split into two companies.

GSK has a significant operation in RTP and operates a manufacturing plant in Zebulon.

GSK board backs CEO Walmsley in dispute: She is ‘the right leader of New GSK’