Servier, a privately-run French research-based pharmaceutical company, and miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative microRNA-based therapeutics, announced that Servier has elected to add a new target as part of its existing agreement for advancing the research, development and commercialisation of microRNA-based drug candidates for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. With this selection, Servier and miRagen now have three microRNA programmes under development.
“Our selection of a third target is indicative of the strength of our partnership with miRagen, as well as our shared commitment to develop microRNA-based therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease,” said Dr Jean-Paul Vilaine, head of Servier’s Cardiovascular Research Unit. “We look forward to our continued collaboration to advance promising drug candidates.”
For Dr Jean-Philippe Seta, chief executive officer of Servier, “Micro-RNA is now the gateway to acting at the deepest level of gene expression regulation, with exciting prospects of major developments in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.”
“The achievement of this milestone further validates the potential of miRagen’s platform in the development of disease-modifying drug candidates,” said William S Marshall, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. “We remain deeply committed to the discovery and advancement of microRNA-based therapeutics, and we anticipate that our partnership with Servier will yield life-changing treatment options for patients in need.”
In October 2011, miRagen entered into a strategic alliance with Servier with the goal of advancing microRNA-based therapies in cardiovascular disease. The Servier alliance initially included two named targets (miR-208 and miR-15/195) and granted Servier the right to add one additional target. In May 2013, Servier elected to add a third, undisclosed, target. Under the terms of the agreement, miRagen received an upfront payment in 2011, is scheduled to receive a target selection payment in 2013, and additional research and development milestones per target. miRagen is also eligible to receive commercial milestones and royalties on the sale of products under the Strategic Alliance. Servier will finance the research, development, regulatory approval, and commercialization costs of the three product candidates. miRagen retains all commercialization rights in the US and Japan, and the option to co-sponsor any phase III programmes in the event that miRagen, alone or together with a partner, should seek marketing approvals for any of the targets in the US and Japan.
MicroRNAs have emerged as an important class of small RNAs encoded in the genome, acting as master regulators of gene expression. Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNA alterations are associated with many disease processes. Because microRNAs have evolved to modulate the expression of related regulatory pathways, microRNAs represent potential drug targets for intervening in complex disease biology.
miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., is focused on the discovery and development of innovative microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics in disease areas with high unmet medical need.
Servier is a major player in Europe and emerging markets having expertise in the development of treatments for cardiovascular diseases.