Santaris Pharma and miRagen Therapeutics have extended their research deal to discover and develop LNA-drugs against disease causing microRNAs.
The agreement allows miRagen to gain a non-exclusive license to the miRNA therapeutics field and global rights to develop and commercialize LNA drugs targeting six additional microRNAs.
Santaris Pharma business development CSO and VP Henrik Oerum said, "MicroRNA therapy is an exciting new branch of human medicine where the LNA drug platform has already provided proof-of-concept in phase2 clinical studies in HCV patient using Santaris´miRNA-122 inhibitor, Miravirsen."
Extension of the agreement brings the total number of microRNA targets to ten.
In return, Santaris is eligible for a combination of cash and equity in addition to clinical milestones and royalties. Financial details of the deal were not revealed.
miRagen president and CEO William Marshall said, "Our goal is to identify important disease causing microRNAs and to deploy the world's best technologies to create therapeutic development candidates against diseases with high unmet medical need."