Idera to Collaborate With GSK to Identify Third-Generation Antisense Molecules
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently announced it has entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration and license agreement with GSK to research, develop, and commercialize selected molecules from Idera’s third-generation antisense platform for the treatment of selected targets in renal disease.
“We are excited to be working with GSK to apply our drug discovery and development efforts in renal disease. This collaboration broadens the utility of our third-generation antisense platform beyond the stated areas of focus for Idera in cancers and rare diseases,” said Clayton Fletcher, Idera’s Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives. “Importantly, through such collaborations, we have the opportunity to strengthen our balance sheet to enable us to further our own clinical development and commercial aspirations.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Idera is eligible to receive approximately $100 million in development and regulatory milestone payments, including a $2.5-million upfront payment. Additionally, Idera is eligible to receive royalties on all sales upon commercialization at varying rates up to 5% on annual net sales in excess of $500 million.
“Advances in our understanding of chronic kidney disease have opened up new treatment opportunities,” added John Lepore, GSK Senior Vice President and Head of the Metabolic Pathways and Cardiovascular Therapy Area Unit. “Idera’s antisense platform offers a new path to explore whether gene silencing technology can help stop or slow chronic kidney disease.”
Idera Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel nucleic acid-based therapies for the treatment of certain cancers and rare diseases. Idera’s proprietary technology involves using a TLR-targeting technology to design synthetic oligonucleotide-based drug candidates to act by modulating the activity of specific TLRs. In addition to its TLR programs, Idera is developing a third-generation antisense technology platform that it has created using its proprietary technology to inhibit the production of disease-associated proteins by targeting RNA. For more information, visit www.iderapharma.com.
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