Roche and Isis Pharmaceuticals form Huntington’s alliance

Roche has announced a new collaboration with Isis Pharmaceuticals that will involve the creation of new Huntington's disease therapies, based on Isis' antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technology.

Initially, this research will focus on a new drug candidate from Isis that functions by blocking production of the huntingtin protein that is responsible for causing the inherited and incurable brain disorder.

The alliance will also see the companies combining Isis' innovations and Roche's proprietary brain shuttle programme to increase the brain penetration of ASOs with systemic administration among asymptomatic patients.

Shafique Virani, global head of neuroscience, cardiovascular and metabolism at Roche Partnering, said: "This dual-track development programme ensures whichever candidate compound proves to be most promising – Isis' lead target or Roche's brain shuttle version – can be taken forward to pivotal clinical trials."

In February 2013, the company announced a new alliance with Chiasma focusing on the development of a potentially promising new treatment for acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumours.