Friday, January 22, 2021
Servier, a global and independent pharmaceutical Group, and MiNA Therapeutics, the pioneer in RNA activation therapeutics, announced a research partnership to identify and develop small activating RNA (saRNA) therapies for the treatment of neurological disorders.
As part of the collaboration, MiNA Therapeutics will use its saRNA platform to identify new potential treatments to restore normal cell function in neurological disorders. Servier will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development of lead candidates and will have the rights for the commercialization of any products resulting from the collaboration. Under the terms of the agreement, MiNA Therapeutics will receive an upfront payment and an exclusivity fee on certain neurological targets of interest. Subsequently, MiNA will be entitled to research and development, regulatory and commercial milestones and royalties.
“MiNA’s innovative approach to activate gene expression through small activating RNAs is an exciting opportunity to unlock potential for the treatment of genetically defined neurodegenerative diseases, for which there are currently limited treatment options,” said Ross Jeggo, Head of the Servier Neurology and Immuno-inflammation Therapeutic Area. “We are delighted to welcome the MiNA team and to combine their unique approach to restoring cellular function with Servier's focus on treating neurological diseases.”
“Working together with Servier, an established pharmaceutical leader in the treatment of CNS disorders, will enable us to expand the evaluation of our platform beyond our current liver-focused indications in an area of great unmet medical need,” said Robert Habib, CEO of MiNA. “Following our first clinical proof-of-concept in cancer, this partnership in neurodegenerative disorders further demonstrates the potential of saRNAs as a promising treatment modality providing a new path to address previously undruggable targets.”
