Roche signs partnership agreement with Alnylam on RNAi drugs

Roche has announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, through which it has acquired a non-exclusive license to the company’s RNA interference (RNAi) development technology platform.

Initially, this alliance will cover oncology, respiratory diseases, metabolic conditions and some liver diseases, while the companies will also work together on drug discovery efforts for one disease target in each of these areas.

Furthermore, following this deal – and subject to approval from the relevant regulatory bodies – Roche will acquire the European research site of Alnylam situated in Kulmbach, Germany, with the company converting the buildings into its own centre of excellence for the discovery of RNAi therapeutics.

Lee E Babiss, head of global pharmaceutical research at Roche, said: “Alnylam has made significant advances in RNAi therapeutics, one of the most promising approaches to tomorrow?s healthcare technology.

“Working together with Alnylam provides us with new capabilities to target complex diseases within our focus areas.”

He added that the aim of the company in this area is the discovery of innovative treatments for patients with hard-to-treat diseases, with the firm dedicated to meeting this goal through its partnership efforts using its newly-acquired German research site.

In September 2006, Alnylam signed an agreement with Biogen Idec to tackle progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, which followed its establishment of a partnership to develop therapeutics for pandemic flu with Novartis seven months earlier.