Roche and Alnylam form major alliance on RNAi therapeutics
Alnylam to receive 331 million US dollars in upfront payments and equity investment
Roche and the US-based biopharmaceutical company Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they have entered into a major alliance in which Roche obtains a non-exclusive license to Alnylam's technology platform for developing RNAi (RNA interference) therapeutics. The alliance will initially cover four therapeutic areas: oncology, respiratory diseases, metabolic diseases and certain liver diseases. Alnylam and Roche also will collaborate on RNAi drug discovery for one or more disease targets in these therapeutic areas. In addition, Roche will acquire Alnylam's European research site located in Kulmbach, Germany (Bavaria), subject to regulatory approval. This site will become Roche's Center of Excellence for RNAi therapeutics discovery.
RNAi is a potential foundation for a whole new class of human therapeutic products. RNAi is a natural mechanism that the body uses to inhibit expression of certain genes. Harnessing the activity of RNAi creates a direct opportunity to develop specific and potent drugs against diseases that are difficult to treat.
"Alnylam has made significant advances in RNAi therapeutics, one of the most promising approaches to tomorrow's healthcare technology. Working together with Alnylam provides us with new capabilities to target complex diseases within our focus areas," said Lee E. Babiss, Head of Roche Global Pharma Research. "Our mission is to find novel solutions for patients who suffer from difficult to treat diseases and we will be fully committed to this goal, together with our new colleagues located at the acquired site in Kulmbach."
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