Biogen Idec and Isis agree neurological disease research alliance

Biogen Idec has announced a new collaboration with Isis Pharmaceuticals, focusing on the development of new neurological disease therapies.

The broad six-year alliance will see the companies leveraging antisense technology to accelerate the discovery and development of novel therapies, marking the fourth partnership between the organisations in the last two years.

Antisense technology is designed to alter a gene's function, silencing a mutation or activating a gene to compensate for an underlying genetic defect, and Isis is a recognised leader in this emerging field.

Both firms will work closely together to select and validate neurological disease targets and conduct drug discovery activities, with Isis taking responsibility for early development and Biogen Idec handling later-stage research and commercialisation.

Dr Douglas Williams, Biogen Idec's executive vice-president of research and development, said: "Antisense is a validated technology that we believe will help build our pipeline of antisense, small molecule and biologics programmes, strengthening our leadership in neurology."

In July 2013, the firm also agreed an expanded collaboration with life science company Adimab, centring on the discovery of antibody-based therapeutics.