AbbVie, Anima Biotech to Collaborate on mRNA Biology Modulators

By Colin Kellaher

AbbVie Inc. on Tuesday said it plans to work with privately held Anima Biotech to discover and develop mRNA biology modulators for three targets across oncology and immunology.

AbbVie, a North Chicago, Ill., biopharmaceutical company, said Anima would use its mRNA Lightning platform to discover novel biology modulators against the targets, providing AbbVie exclusive rights to license and further develop and commercialize the programs.

AbbVie said it would make an upfront payment of $42 million to Anima, which is also eligible for up to $540 million in option fees and research-and-development milestone payments across the three targets, along with further commercial milestone payments and royalties on product sales.

AbbVie said modulating mRNA biology with small molecules is a new approach that has the potential to address "undruggable" targets, with implications across multiple therapy areas.

The company said it has an option to expand the collaboration with Anima by up to three additional targets under the same terms as the initial agreement.

Write to Colin Kellaher at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 10, 2023 08:35 ET (13:35 GMT)

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