Eli Lilly and Company and MiNA Therapeutics, a London-based company developing RNA activation therapeutics, have entered into global research collaboration for small activating RNA (saRNA) therapeutics in a $1.25-billion deal ($25 million upfront plus a potential $245 million for each target, up to five targets).

sRNA therapeutics are a new class of medicines with the potential to restore normal function to patients’ cells using innate mechanisms of gene activation. Under the agreement, MiNA will use its saRNA technology to research up to five targets selected by Lilly to address diseases across Lilly’s key therapeutic focus areas. Lilly will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development of the drug candidates and will retain exclusive commercialization rights for any products resulting from the collaboration.

MiNA will receive a $25-million upfront payment and is eligible to receive potential development and commercialization milestones up to a total of $245 million per target, as well as tiered royalties from the low-single to low-double digits on product sales resulting from the collaboration.

Source: Eli Lilly and Company and MiNA Therapeutics