Alnylam Earns Takeda Milestone

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has earned a $20 million technology transfer payment from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. as part of the strategic alliance the companies formed in May 2008. This payment is related to the achievement of certain pre-defined objectives in the transfer of Alnylam’s platform technology, including documents, materials, and know-how, to Takeda for the development of RNAi therapeutics.

Alnylam previously received $120 million in upfront and technology transfer payments from Takeda. In addition to this $20 million payment, Alnylam is eligible to receive an additional $10 million in near-term technology transfer payments. Alnylam is also eligible to receive significant milestones and royalties related to the Takeda’s advancement of RNAi therapeutic products, and has retained certain product opt-in rights in the U.S. market.

“We are very pleased with the continued progress we have made in our enablement of Takeda with Alnylam’s RNAi therapeutics platform technology and intellectual property,” said Barry Greene, president and chief operating officer of Alnylam. “Our partnership with Takeda has been extremely productive, and we look forward to our continued work with them in developing RNAi therapeutics on a global basis, which includes Alnylam’s opt-in right to co-develop and co-commercialize certain Takeda RNAi therapeutic products in the U.S. market.”