Santaris and miRagen Expand Partnership in the Field of Drugs Against microRNAs

Under the expanded agreement, miRagen obtains a broad non-exclusive license in the miRNA therapeutics field for therapeutics research and world-wide exclusive rights to research, develop and commercialize LNA drugs against up to six additional microRNA targets that have been shown to be important in human disease areas of high unmet need. This brings the total number of microRNA targets under the agreement to ten. Santaris Pharma A/S will receive a combination of cash and equity in consideration for the licenses as well as clinical milestones and royalties on products emerging from the alliance. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Henrik Ørum, CSO and VP, Business Development at Santaris Pharma A/S stated:  “Our collaboration with miRagen is an important part of our corporate strategy in the microRNA therapeutics field, so we are very pleased with our collective decision to expand the relationship. 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.”

William S. Marshall, President and CEO of miRagen stated: “Our partnership with Santaris has been very productive, and we are excited to expand the relationship to additional microRNA targets in our portfolio. 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. We hope these new programs will translate into novel drugs that will help patients suffering from serious diseases live longer and better lives.”