AstraZeneca, Isis partner to discover and develop new antisense drugs

The partnership builds on a broad existing relationship between the two firms and supports AstraZeneca’s strategic approach in these therapeutic areas using new RNA-targeted treatments as well as allows Isis to extend use of its antisense technology to diseases of the kidney.

Antisense drugs, which are short, chemically-modified, single-stranded nucleic acids, have the ability to target any gene product of interest.

These drugs act inside the cell to influence protein production by targeting RNA to either prevent the production of disease-causing proteins, increase the production of proteins deficient in disease, or target toxic RNAs that are unable to generate proteins.

AstraZeneca Innovative Medicines & Early Development executive vice-president Mene Pangalos said: "Antisense-based therapies are rapidly gaining momentum in the clinic and becoming an important component of our early stage pipeline.

"This collaboration combines the world-class antisense drug research capabilities of Isis with our expertise in cardiovascular, metabolic and renal disease drug discovery and development.

"By working together we aim to uncover targets and pathways that can be manipulated using antisense drug therapy."

As part of the deal, AstraZeneca will pay an upfront fee of $65m to Isis plus development and regulatory milestones for each program that advances to clinical development.

Isis is also eligible to secure tiered double-digit royalties on annual net sales for each program.