Amgen, Arrowhead Ink Two Cardiovascular Agreements

Amgen and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals have entered two license and collaboration agreements to develop and commercialize RNA interference (RNAi) therapies for cardiovascular disease. These programs use Arrowhead’s subcutaneous RNAi delivery platform designed to target and shut down specific gene products that contribute to various diseases.

Under one agreement, Amgen receives a worldwide, exclusive license to Arrowhead’s RNAi ARC-LPA program, and under the second agreement, Amgen receives an option to a worldwide, exclusive license for a RNAi therapy for an undisclosed genetically validated cardiovascular target. Amgen will be responsible for clinical development and commercialization for both agreements.

Arrowhead will receive $35 million upfront payments, $21.5 million in the form of an equity investment by Amgen; and as much as $617 million in option payments, development, regulatory and sales milestones. Arrowhead is also eligible to receive royalties on sales under the ARC-LPA agreement.

“Arrowhead’s expertise in RNAi makes them a valuable partner as we translate genetic discoveries into potential therapies that can improve health outcomes for patients,” said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of R&D at Amgen. “This collaboration builds upon our commitment to cardiovascular disease with targets that we believe are uniquely suited for RNAi-based therapy.”

“We have made great advances to our subcutaneous RNAi delivery vehicle and in RNAi trigger modification and stabilization that enable rapid development of new RNAi therapeutics across multiple disease areas,” said Christopher Anzalone, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Arrowhead. “We are thrilled to be working with Amgen, one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, on this collaboration. Amgen’s extensive development, regulatory, and commercial expertise makes them an ideal partner, and we look forward to a long and productive relationship.”