Regulus and sanofi form microRNA therapeutics alliance
The deal represents the largest microRNA therapeutics alliance to date
Regulus Therapeutics Inc and sanofi-aventis have entered into a global alliance to discover, develop, and commercialise microRNA therapeutics.
The alliance represents the largest microRNA partnership formed to date, valued at potentially over US$750 m (€611m), and includes a US$25 m (€20m) upfront fee, a US$10 m (€8.1m) future equity investment subject to mutual agreement on company valuation, and annual research support for three years with the option to extend two additional years.
The alliance will initially focus on the therapeutic area of fibrosis. Regulus and sanofi-aventis will collaborate on up to four microRNA targets, including Regulus’ lead fibrosis program targeting microRNA-21. sanofi-aventis also receives an option for a broader technology alliance that provides Regulus certain rights to participate in development and commercialization of resulting products. If exercised, this three-year option is worth an additional US$50 m to Regulus.
‘This new partnership continues to illustrate sanofi-aventis’ commitment to develop innovative therapies,” said Marc Cluzel, executive vice-president, r&d, sanofi-aventis. ‘microRNAs are believed to be extremely important in human development and physiology. Together with Regulus we will develop therapeutics which could potentially open a new paradigm in the treatment of major diseases and could offer an attractive new therapeutic approach for patients.’
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Isis Pharmaceuticals formed Regulus in 2007, with each company currently owning approximately 50% of the preferred stock. The biopharmaceutical company is leading the development of innovative new medicines based on microRNAs, a new class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by interfering with translation or stability of target messenger RNA transcripts.
