Alios BioPharma acquires rights to Cleveland’s anticancer therapy

<p>Under the terms of the agreement, Alios will provide Cleveland Clinic an upfront license fee, various development, regulatory and commercial milestones, and royalties on net sales. In addition, Alios will sponsor ongoing research at Cleveland Clinic for a period of two years.<br /><br />Alios will continue the research and development of these compounds with the goal of advancing molecules toward clinical development for both chronic and acute viral diseases and for cancer. The agreement covers the use of RNase L activators for all human, veterinary and agricultural applications. <br /><br />The technology is also applicable to the treatment of cancer for both solid tumors and hematological malignancies such as leukemia. The agreement grants Alios exclusive worldwide rights to Cleveland Clinic patents, technology and preclinical small molecules relating to RNase L activation which were developed in the laboratory of Robert Silverman. RNase L is a key component of the host response to viral infections and is an important mediator of the innate immune-based antiviral pathway. <br /><br />Lawrence Blatt, president and CEO of Alios, said: We view the RNase L target as a complementary approach to existing antiviral and anticancer therapies where the complexity of these diseases requires treatment with multiple agents with differing mechanisms of actions.<br /></p>