Wave Life Sciences Announces Continued Momentum in GSK Collaboration & Advancements in siRNA & RNA Editing

Wave Life Sciences Ltd. recently provided an update on its best-in-class small interfering RNA (siRNA) and RNA editing platform capabilities. As part of Wave’s ongoing collaboration with GSK, GSK has selected its first two programs to advance to development candidates following achievement of target validation. These programs utilize Wave’s next generation GalNAc-siRNA format and are in hepatology. GSK will provide an aggregate initiation payment of $12 million to Wave for these two oligonucleotide programs. Under the agreement, GSK can advance up to eight programs leveraging Wave’s PRISM platform and multiple RNA-targeting modalities (RNA editing, splicing, siRNA, and antisense) with target validation work ongoing across multiple therapy areas.

“We’ve reached an exciting point in our research collaboration, as selection of GSK’s first two programs signals the next phase of our work together to bring transformative RNA medicines to patients,” said Paul Bolno, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wave Life Sciences. “The fact that both programs use our next generation siRNA format also speaks to its growing potential within our broader toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities. Beyond these programs, our collaboration is focusing on all Wave modalities, including RNA editing. We expect additional opportunities for payments related to our collaboration in 2024 and beyond. Our wholly owned INHBE program for obesity also uses our next generation GalNAc-siRNA format and is on track to initiate clinical trials in the first quarter of 2025. Emerging preclinical data support a best-in-class profile for our lead clinical candidate, including potent and durable silencing, weight loss with no loss of muscle mass, reduction of visceral fat, and once-or-twice-yearly dosing.”

Under the terms of the agreement with GSK, Wave leads research for GSK Collaboration Programs up to investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies. GSK Collaboration Programs then transfer to GSK for IND-enabling studies, clinical development, and commercialization. In total, Wave is eligible for up to $3.3 billion in potential milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on net sales, for GSK Collaboration Programs and WVE-006, for which GSK has an exclusive global license.

Wave Life Sciences (Nasdaq: WVE) is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Wave’s RNA medicines platform, PRISM™, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Its toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities includes editing, splicing, RNA interference and antisense silencing, providing Wave with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Wave’s diversified pipeline includes clinical programs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and Huntington’s disease, as well as a preclinical program in obesity. Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible,” Wave is leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease. Wave is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information, visit visit www.wavelifesciences.com.