Biogen Idec forms alliance to fight progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Biogen Idec has announced a new alliance with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals to fight progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a viral infection that affects the nervous system, most often leading to death or severe disability.

The companies intend to focus on using RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics, which involves silencing genes selectively to “harness [a] cell’s own capabilities”, enabling it to achieve anti-viral effects.

Under the terms of the agreement, Biogen Idec will pay Alnylam $5 million, with a further $51 million to come in the form of potential milestone payments.

Al Sandrock, senior vice president of neurology at Biogen Idec, stated: “This innovative collaboration to explore using RNAi technology to develop therapeutics for the treatment of PML will build on our work to understand and manage this disease.”

John Maraganore, president and chief executive officer of Alnylam, claims the collaboration “demonstrates the power” of RNAi as a drug discovery platform, adding that the partnership could help to fulfil an “important medical need”.

Currently, there is no cure or recognised treatment for the disease, which primarily affects people with weakened immune systems, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The institute states that PML is “relentlessly progressive” and that death normally occurs between one and four months after onset of the disease, although there are some cases where patients have survived longer.

Biogen Idec produces Tysabri, a treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis. The drug was temporarily withdrawn following reports suggesting that Tysabri use was linked with the development of PML in rare cases.