GlaxoSmithKline pays fee to Isis for new drug trial

GlaxoSmithKline has paid a $7.5 million (4.93 million pounds) milestone fee to Isis Pharmaceuticals following the launch of a phase II/III trial of a new therapy for transthyretin amyloidosis they are collaboratively developing.

ISIS-TTR Rx is an antisense drug that has demonstrated potential in early studies as a means of treating the severe and rare genetic disease, which is characterised by progressive dysfunction of peripheral nerve and/or heart tissues.

The new trial will last for 15 months, will involve around 200 patients and will assess the drug's effect on neurological dysfunction and on quality of life, with the companies hoping that this data can support regulatory filings for the therapy.

ISIS-TTR Rx has progressed from being a research-stage programme to a drug in late-stage clinical development in just over two years.

B Lynne Parshall, chief operating officer at Isis, said: "While we will continue to manage the clinical development of ISIS-TTR Rx, we will benefit from GlaxoSmithKline's late-stage clinical development, regulatory and commercial expertise."

This comes in the same week that GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance announced that their new therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been accepted for review by the US Food and Drug Administration.