Overview
In April 2008, GSK and Regulus Therapeutics announced the first ever microRNA-focused strategic alliance to discover, develop and commercialize novel microRNA-targeted therapeutics to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory disease. Valued at nearly $600 million, the alliance provides GSK with an option to exclusively license drug candidates directed at four different microRNA targets with relevance in inflammatory disease. Regulus is responsible for the discovery and development of the microRNA antagonists through completion of clinical proof of concept. GSK has the option to license each drug developed by Regulus for the relevant microRNA target for further development and commercialization on a worldwide basis.
In February 2010, GSK and Regulus Therapeutics announced a new collaboration to develop and commercialize microRNA therapeutics targeting microRNA-122 for the treatment of Hepatitis C Infection. miR-122 is a liver-expressed microRNA that has been shown to be a critical endogenous 'host factor' for the replication of HCV, and anti-miRs targeting miR-122 have been shown to block HCV infection. Regulus exclusively controls patent rights covering miR-122 antagonists and their uses as HCV therapeutics. 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.
