Roche has announced a partnership with Alnylam to develop and commercialize zilebesiran, an investigational RNAi therapeutic currently in phase 2 for the treatment of hypertension.
Hypertension affects more than 1.2 billion adults worldwide and is the main, independent, preventable risk factor for death and disability, with approximately 80% of the adults with hypertension worldwide not being able to effectively manage their blood pressure.
Based on the positive phase 1 data, zilebesiran could be a best-in-disease treatment and provide transformational benefit, especially for patients with hypertension at high cardiovascular risk. It also has the potential of improved adherence and compliance to treatment due to the possible biannual subcutaneous dosing regime. In addition, zilebesiran could provide patient benefit in additional cardiovascular indications with high unmet medical need.
“We are excited to work together with Alnylam and leverage our strong R&D capabilities, our leadership in cardiovascular diagnostics and our global commercial footprint to further develop and provide this promising therapy with best-in-disease potential to patients,” said Teresa Graham, CEO Roche Pharma.
“Throughout our history, we have redefined the standard of care across various disease areas. Together with a strong partner like Alnylam, we are looking forward to making a significant impact for patients living with hypertension at high cardiovascular risk and potentially other cardiovascular indications.”
“We are thrilled to announce this collaboration, as it combines Alnylam’s proven track record in RNAi therapeutics with Roche’s global commercial reach, commitment to innovation and desire to transform the landscape for patients with severe cardiovascular diseases,” said Yvonne Greenstreet, chief executive officer of Alnylam.
“With this collaboration, we now can develop zilebesiran in a more robust way, allowing us to have cardiovascular outcomes data in hand at launch to ensure results relevant not only for health authorities but also for access and clinical practice in order to ultimately reach as many patients as possible.”
In a phase 1 study, zilebesiran compared to placebo, was associated with dose-dependent reductions in serum angiotensinogen (AGT), achieving tonic blood pressure control with consistent and durable blood pressure reduction throughout a 24-hour period, sustained up to six months after single doses of ≥200 mg. Zilebesiran also demonstrated an acceptable safety profile supporting continued clinical development. The safety and efficacy of zilebesiran are being investigated in Alnylam’s KARDIA phase 2 clinical program either as a monotherapy (KARDIA-1) or in combination with one of three standard-of-care antihypertensive medications (KARDIA-2).
Terms of the agreement between Roche and Alnylam
The partnership will allow both partners to pursue a joint development plan and commercialization approach to unlock the full value of zilebesiran. As a part of this agreement, Alnylam and Roche will co-commercialize zilebesiran in the U.S. and share cost and profits equally. Outside the U.S., Roche obtains exclusive commercialisation rights.
Alnylam will lead a joint clinical development plan for the first indication with Roche’s participation, which includes a cardiovascular outcomes trial prior to submission of zilebesiran for regulatory approval, with all development costs shared by Alnylam and by Roche. Roche may lead development for additional indications in the future.
Under the terms of the agreement, Alnylam will receive an upfront payment of $310m and is eligible to receive development, regulatory and commercial milestones including substantial near-term milestones, together with equal profit and loss share in the U.S. and royalties outside of the U.S.
About zilebesiran
Zilebesiran is an investigational, subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic targeting angiotensinogen (AGT) in phase 2 development for the treatment of hypertension in high unmet need populations. AGT is the most upstream precursor in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), a cascade that has a demonstrated role in blood pressure (BP) regulation and its inhibition has well-established anti-hypertensive effects. Zilebesiran inhibits the synthesis of AGT in the liver, potentially leading to durable reductions in AGT protein and ultimately, in the vasoconstrictor angiotensin (Ang) II.
Zilebesiran utilizes Alnylam’s Enhanced Stabilization Chemistry Plus (ESC+) GalNAc-conjugate technology, which enables subcutaneous dosing with increased selectivity and a wide therapeutic index. The safety and efficacy of zilebesiran have not been established or evaluated by the FDA, EMA or any other health authority.
About hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide, and a major risk for premature mortality. Early effects of hypertension can include subtle target organ damage such as left-ventricular hypertrophy and cognitive dysfunction. Over time, uncontrolled hypertension can lead to cardiovascular disease including stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic), coronary artery disease, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Despite management strategies such as lifestyle modifications and several classes of available antihypertensive treatments, fewer than 20% of people with hypertension are able to effectively manage their blood pressure.
Last year, using the cloud-based scientific analytics platform and data from the UK Biobank, Alnylam identified several new therapeutic targets, including its latest discovery of the association of the protein coding gene, inhibin subunit Beta E, (INHBE) with protection against abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome – a condition impacting more than 20% of adults worldwide.
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