CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Archemix Corp. and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISIS ) announced today that they have entered into a strategic alliance that includes a broad intellectual property license agreement and research collaboration. The agreement provides Archemix with access to approximately four hundred issued and pending Isis patents covering proprietary chemistries, analytical methods and manufacturing methods related to the research, development and commercialization of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics to discover and develop drugs based on Archemix's proprietary SELEX technology. Additionally, the companies will share their respective know-how in oligonucleotide therapeutic discovery and development.
This alliance capitalizes upon Isis' significant investment in the research and development of oligonucleotide therapeutics. Under the terms of the agreement, Isis licensed to Archemix certain of Isis' patents relating to oligonucleotide compositions and methods exclusively for use in conjunction with aptamer therapeutics. Isis will receive milestones and royalties on aptamer therapeutics developed by Archemix that incorporate proprietary Isis chemistries or which utilize proprietary Isis analytical or manufacturing methods. Additionally, Isis will receive a percentage of revenue generated by Archemix if Archemix sublicenses Isis' intellectual property to a third party for the development of aptamer therapeutics.[This is the so-called Spectrum Pharma rider :-)]Isis also received a warrant to purchase an undisclosed number of shares of Archemix common stock. Specific financial terms were not disclosed.
About Aptamers
Aptamers are synthetically-derived oligonucleotides, or short nucleic acid sequences. Aptamers represent an emerging class of potential therapeutic agents that Archemix believes may have broad application to treat a variety of human diseases. Aptamers have the ability to disrupt interactions between proteins, bind with high affinity and specificity to their targets and can be designed to have a specified duration of action.
About Archemix
Archemix is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing aptamer therapeutics. Using Archemix's proprietary processes for discovering aptamers, which are protected by its patent portfolio, Archemix is developing aptamer product candidates for cardiovascular and hematological diseases and cancer. Archemix has completed a Phase 1 clinical trial for ARC1779, its lead aptamer product candidate and, subject to regulatory review of its proposed protocol, Archemix expects to commence Phase 2a and Phase 1b clinical trials of ARC1779 in two distinct indications in the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition, Archemix has licensed its intellectual property to third parties to develop their own aptamer product candidates. To date, Archemix has licensed its intellectual property to discover or develop aptamer product candidates to nine biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Merck Serono, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Elan Pharma. Archemix expects two of these aptamer product candidates being developed by third parties to enter Phase 2 clinical trials in the second half of 2007. <<
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
