8:02AM Alnylam Pharma and Ascletis form strategic collaboration to develop ALN-VSP, an RNAi therapeutic for the treatment of liver cancers; partnership is focused on developing ALN-VSP for hepatocellular carcinoma in China (ALNY) 12.30 : Co and Ascletis Pharmaceuticals, a privately held US-China joint venture pharmaceutical co, announced that they have formed a strategic collaboration for the development of ALN-VSP, a first-in-class, systemically delivered RNAi therapeutic for the treatment of liver cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This collaboration provides Ascletis with the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ALN-VSP in China including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Alnylam will retain all rights in the rest of the world, and is eligible to receive milestones and royalties based on product sales. Ascletis has received an exclusive license from Alnylam to develop and commercialize ALN-VSP in China including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The initial focus will be on advancing ALN-VSP into a Phase II study for the treatment of HCC. Ascletis will diligently advance ALN-VSP, and as the program progresses, Ascletis will pay Alnylam development and commercial milestones and royalties on net sales in the Ascletis territory. Alnylam retains all rights to develop and commercialize the product in the rest of the world. Alnylam may use the data generated in China by Ascletis under this strategic collaboration for development of ALN-VSP in the rest of the world, and Ascletis may potentially receive sublicense payments based on any such future partnerships.
