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Alexion moves into RNAi with Dicerna deal

October 24, 2018 11:07 PM UTC

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) entered into the RNAi field with a deal with Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:DRNA) to discover and develop RNAi therapies for complement-mediated diseases. Alexion also reported higher-than-expected revenues and sales of Soliris eculizumab in its 3Q18 earnings report released on Wednesday.

Alexion gains exclusive worldwide rights to two preclinical RNAi molecules developed using Dicerna's GalXC technology, and an option to license two additional GalXC RNAi molecules. Dicerna will receive $22 million up front and Alexion will invest $15 million in the RNAi company. Dicerna is eligible for up to $10 million in option fees for each of the two additional candidates, up to $105 million in development milestones per target and $160 million in total sales milestones, plus mid-single to low-double digit royalties...