Alnylam partners with Regeneron on RNAi liver therapeutic programs

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals announced a collaboration with Regeneron to discover, develop and commercialize new RNA interference therapeutics for a broad range of diseases by addressing disease targets including those expressed in the liver, according to a press release.

Under the terms of the alliance, Alnylam will work exclusively with Regeneron on the RNAi projects. Regeneron will lead development and commercialization while the companies will jointly advance and alternate leadership on central nervous system programs.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Regeneron, a like-minded science-based organization, to significantly accelerate our efforts to bring RNAi therapeutics to patients,” John Maraganore, PhD, CEO of Alnylam, said in the release. “Importantly, the alliance structure enables Alnylam to continue to build its industry-leading pipeline of RNAi therapeutics while retaining significant product rights.”

The liver-disease focused RNAi therapeutic programs include a planned joint effort to evaluate anti-C5 antibody small interfering RNA combinations for CR complement-mediated diseases. The companies will also continue their previously-announced collaboration to identify RNAi therapeutics for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis based on findings from the Regeneron Genetics Center.

“This collaboration couples proven and emerging RNAi technology, which holds important promise in many diseases, with Regeneron’s world-leading genetics research and target discovery engine,” George D. Yancopoulos, MD, PhD, president and chief scientific officer of Regeneron, said in the release. “This collaboration enables us to reach targets inside the cell complementing our expertise in antibodies, which are ideal for extracellular targets and those on the cell surface.”

Reference: www.alnylam.com