antisense technology, page-19

Another winner for Isis.....antisense technology on the march to be bigger than microsoft as predicted by Sam Cooke 2 decades ago



By Melodie Warner
Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. ( ISIS ) and Roche Holding AG (RHHBY, RO.EB, ROG.VX) have formed an alliance to develop Huntington's disease treatments using Isis's antisense oligonucleotide technology.
Huntington's disease is an inherited genetic brain disorder that results in the progressive loss of both mental faculties and physical control. Isis said there is no effective treatment or cure for the disease, and current treatments focus on reducing the severity of some symptoms.
The drug companies will also collaborate to combine Isis's ASO technology and Roche's proprietary "brain shuttle" program, which, if successful, will also allow systemic administration of antisense drugs to treat asymptomatic patients.
Roche will make a $30 million upfront payment to Isis, with total payments related to license fee and pre- and post- licensing milestone payments potentially reaching $362 million.
Isis will also receive tiered royalties on sales of the drugs.
Roche has the option to license the drugs from Isis through the completion of the first Phase 1 trial.
Until then, Isis is responsible for the discovery and development of an antisense drug targeting the huntingtin protein.
If Roche exercises its option, it will be responsible for global development, regulatory and commercialization activities for all drugs arising out of the collaboration.
Write to Melodie Warner at [email protected]
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Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/isis-pharmaceuticals-roche-to-collaborate-on-huntingtons-disease-treatments-20130408-00531#ixzz2Pst4kZyP