Good to see the big Pharmas getting in early to take advantage of antisense technology, and with validation of antisense technology continuing one wonders what will happen to ANP with positive results once the interim data is released within the next few weeks.?
15-11-2013
GSK Pays Isis $5M for Antisense Drug Advancement
Isis Pharmaceuticals has earned a $5 million milestone payment from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) related to the designation of ISIS-GSK4Rx, an antisense drug designed to treat an undisclosed ocular disease, as a development candidate.
As a part of the alliance, Isis is eligible to earn additional prelicensing milestone payments from GSK as ISIS-GSK4Rx advances. The company will develop ISIS-GSK4Rx to Phase II proof-of-concept, at which time GSK has the option to exclusively license it. Isis is also eligible to receive double-digit royalties on sales of the candidate. here we have further validation of the BIG pharma's getting i on antisense technology at the early stages, GSK signing up for 3 antisense drugs from ISIS .
isis and GSK's antisense collaboration began in March 2010 when GSK paid Isis $35 million upfront to discover new antisense drugs against serious rare disorders including infectious diseases and specific conditions causing blindness. Last month, GSK added ISIS-GSK3Rx to the program, earning Isis $7 million in milestone payments.
Collaboration between the two firms has resulted in three antisense drugs in Isis’ pipeline. In July, the company won a $2 million milestone payment from GSK for the advancement of an ongoing Phase II/III study of ISIS-TTRRx, an antisense drug being developed for the rare genetic disease transthyretin amyloidosis.
In the deal, Isis received $20 million in up-front and milestone payments before the dosing of the first patient in the study, including a $7.5 million payment it earned in February upon initiation of the trial.
ANP Price at posting:
15.5¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
