Antisense therapies target the proteins involved in disease processes through the RNA that is involved in building these proteins. The Isis discovery platform develops specific therapies that bind to messenger RNA (mRNA) and inhibit the production of disease-causing proteins.
As per the terms of the agreement, which covers up to six programmes, Isis is expected to receive an upfront $35m payment from GSK and is eligible to receive on average up to $20m in milestones per programme up to Phase 2 proof of concept (PoC).
GSK will have the option to license compounds at PoC, and will be responsible for all further development and commercialisation. Isis will be eligible to receive license fees and milestone payments, totaling nearly $1.5bn, in the event all six programmes are successfully developed for one or more indications and commercialised through to pre-agreed sales targets.
In addition Isis is expected to receive up to double-digit royalties on sales, from any product that is successfully commercialised.
The alliance provides GSK with access to Isis’ expertise in drug discovery and development of RNA-targeted therapeutics, with Isis retaining responsibility for the discovery and development of compounds to the alliance targets from inception to PoC.
Patrick Vallance, senior vice-president and head of drug discovery at GSK, said: “As a platform, the Isis antisense approach offers us an exciting opportunity to target certain severe diseases in a way that has not previously been possible. Isis Pharmaceuticals is a leader in antisense technology, and this new alliance will enhance our discovery platform in this promising research area.”
Stanley Crooke, chairman and chief executive officer at Isis Pharmaceuticals, said: “We are excited to be working with GSK to apply antisense technology to these new therapeutic areas. We are particularly excited to work on the novel targets GSK brought to the alliance.
“This alliance is exactly the type of deal we want to do. We retain control of the discovery and early development of our drugs while working together with a very high-quality partner to maximise the value of the drugs in late-stage development and commercialisation.”