Alnylam, Merck amend agreement to develop RNAi therapeutics

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., July 6 - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said it amended its two existing RNAi (RNA interference) collaboration agreements with Merck, providing Merck with a more active, earlier role in the development of RNAi therapeutic products.

The amended agreement also gives Alnylam accelerated research and development funding, potential significant milestones, and royalty payments or profit-sharing on commercialized products resulting from the collaboration.

Successful development and approval of three RNAi therapeutic products developed solely by Merck on a worldwide basis would result in milestone payments to Alnylam of more than $120 million.

Alnylam said the companies can now focus on the nine new therapeutic targets remaining to be nominated by Merck.

"The amended agreement represents a new and stronger phase of our relationship, and significantly increases the ability of both companies to realize value from our collaboration," president and chief executive officer John Maraganore said in a company news release.

"Indeed, the accelerated funding will bolster our efforts as we aim to bring RNAi therapeutics to patients."

RNAi is a naturally occurring mechanism within cells for selectively silencing and regulating specific genes.

Based in Cambridge, Mass., Alnylam develops novel therapeutics based on RNAi to address significant medical needs.

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