Alnylam’s ALN-TTR program includes ALN-TTR02 and ALN-TTRsc, a subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic.
Alnylam chief executive officer John Maraganore said ALN-TTR program holds promise as a breakthrough therapy for the treatment of ATTR, a debilitating orphan disease.
"In this important collaboration, Genzyme will advance our ALN-TTR program with their proven capabilities in the Japanese and broader Asian market, while we maintain our plans to develop and commercialize this potential breakthrough medicine in the U.S., Europe, and rest of world," Maraganore added.
"In addition, a key part of the value proposition in this alliance for Alnylam is the potential for significant royalty payments on sales of products."
As per the agreement, Alnylam will earn an upfront payment of $22.5m besides development milestone payments and tiered royalties upon the sales of ALN-TTR products in Genzyme’s territory.
Both the companies will be responsible for the development and commercialization activities in their individual territories.
Genzyme president and chief executive officer David Meeker said, "As we work to build our pipeline through both internal research and development, and through external collaborations, we look forward to working with Alnylam on this important program."