Advertise With UsAdvertise on our extensive network of industry websites and newsletters.
Get the PBR newsletterSign up to our free email to get all the latest PBR
news.For drug delivery systems and dicer substrate siRNA pharmaceuticals
Subscribe to our email newsletter
Dicerna Pharmaceuticals (Dicerna) and Kyowa Hakko Kirin have entered into a research collaboration and license agreement for the research, development and commercialisation of drug delivery systems and DsiRNA pharmaceuticals for therapeutic targets in oncology.
As per the terms of the collaboration, Dicerna is expected to receive $4m in upfront cash payments including research funding, up to $120m in additional research funding, development and commercial milestones for exclusive rights to one target in the field of oncology.
Kyowa Hakko Kirin and Dicerna may expand the scope of the collaboration by adding approximately up to 10 targets under similar terms and may broaden the therapeutic focus of the partnership.
Reportedly, Dicerna is entitled to royalty payments on sales from products for these targets. Dicerna also has an option to equally co-promote and profit-share (50:50) in the US for the initial target.
James Jenson, CEO and co-founder of Dicerna, said:“We are very pleased to enter into this exciting collaboration with Kyowa Hakko Kirin. This partnership is a further validation of Dicerna’s proprietary Dicer Substrate Technology platform and our unique ability to generate a greater number of more potent molecules. This collaboration provides us with the opportunity to develop novel Dicer Substrate siRNA therapies and related drug delivery systems while working with an innovative biopharmaceutical partner.”
Etsuo Ohshima, managing officer and vice president of research division at Kyowa Hakko Kirin, said: “Dicer Substrate Technology is a promising approach to provide RNAi-based therapeutics. Combining with our drug delivery system will enable us to jointly offer new treatments for cancer as well as other diseases. This collaboration addresses to reinforce the possibility of DsiRNA-based medicines by means of specific delivery to tumors or certain tissues.
“We believe that this endeavor to modulate intracellular targets can be complementary to our own antibody-based approach featuring Potelligent technology to cell surface targets. Dicerna will be an important partner for Kyowa Hakko Kirin to open an opportunity of new medications for patients.”