The Alnylam product candidate, ALN-VSP, is being developed as a treatment for liver cancers and potentially other solid tumors. ALN-VSP comprises small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules delivered systemically using Tekmira’s stable nucleic acid-lipid particles (SNALP) technology. Tekmira is responsible for manufacturing ALN-VSP drug product and has conducted preclinical work in support of Alnylam’s investigational new drug (IND) application.
Tekmira is eligible to receive a milestone payment upon the dosing of the first patient in a ALN-VSP Phase I clinical trial. In aggregate, Tekmira is eligible to receive up to $16 million in milestones on each and every RNAi therapeutic advanced by Alnylam or its partners that utilizes Tekmira’s technology, as well as royalties on product sales.
Alnylam has provided access to Tekmira’s technology to certain of its partners, including Roche, Regulus Therapeutics and most recently, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company.
Mark Murray, Tekmira’s president and CEO, said: “Alnylam’s progress towards an IND filing for ALN-VSP represents further validation of our technology and will enable the first human clinical trial using SNALP for an siRNA therapeutic product.”