Isis Pharmaceuticals, Biogen Idec deal
Isis received a $2 million milestone payment from Biogen Idec under a 2012 deal under which the company has an exclusive, worldwide option to develop and commercialize ISIS-SMNRx. The payment was triggered by an undisclosed milestone related to the advancement of an ongoing, open-label extension study in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Biogen Idec's option expires at the completion of either the first successful Phase II/III trial or the completion of two Phase II/III trials. Under the deal, Isis has received more than $65 million in upfront fees, milestones and other payments, including the $2 million milestone and an $18 million milestone payment triggered late last month by the dosing of the first patient in the Phase III ENDEAR trial of ISIS-SMNRx in infants with SMA (see BioCentury, Aug. 11). ...