Regulus Therapeutics Inc. today announced the establishment of a new
collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop and commercialize
microRNA therapeutics targeting microRNA-122 in all fields with
Hepatitis C Viral infection (HCV) as the lead indication. Under the
terms of the new collaboration, Regulus will receive additional upfront
and early-stage milestone payments with the potential to earn more than
$150 million in miR-122-related combined payments, and tiered royalties
up to double digits on worldwide sales of products.
“This new collaboration with GSK demonstrates the clear scientific
leadership that Regulus has established in advancing a whole new
frontier of pharmaceutical research. microRNA therapeutics target the
pathways of human diseases, not just single disease targets, and hold
considerable promise as novel therapies across a broad range of unmet
medical needs,” said Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D., President and
Chief Executive Officer of Regulus. “It also further validates Regulus’
microRNA product platform built on fundamental biology of human diseases
and intellectual property, and also extends the therapeutic scope of our
existing collaboration formed with GSK in 2008. Furthermore, the funding
from this alliance supports Regulus’ efforts in advancing high impact,
novel medicines based on microRNA biology to patients.”