The new non-exclusive, gene-specific license agreement includes an Alnylam right of first negotiation to opt-in for co-development and co-commercialization of the RNAi therapeutic product in the US market.
Detailed financial terms were not disclosed, but include upfront, and milestone payments, and royalties on sales of any products covered by the licensing agreement.
Alnylam created the InterfeRx licensing program to grant licenses under its intellectual property to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies wishing to pursue RNAi therapeutics against specific targets outside Alnylam’s core strategic interests.
To date, a total of five companies are InterfeRx licensees; the license grants cover nine active target programs including three in clinical development.
Jason Rhodes, vice president of business development at Alnylam, said: “We are pleased to be granting Calando a new InterfeRx license, providing them access to Alnylam intellectual property, which we believe is critical for the development and commercialization of all RNAi therapeutic products.”