* Ipsen enters into an option agreement to receive exclusive global rights to
two candidates pursued under the collaboration
* Following development candidate validation, Ipsen will assume responsibility
for further development and commercialization, leveraging existing
neuroscience expertise in movement disorders
* This promising platform technology created by Skyhawk allows for the
exploration of previously undruggable RNA targets with small molecules,
expanding the disease target landscape(1)
PARIS, FRANCE; BOSTON, U.S., 22 April 2024 - Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY)
and Skyhawk Therapeutics today announced the signing of an exclusive worldwide
collaboration to discover and develop novel small molecules that modulate RNA
for rare neurological diseases. The agreement includes an option pursuant to
which Ipsen would acquire exclusive license for the worldwide rights to develop
successful development candidates (DC). Following successful DC nomination,
Ipsen will be responsible for all activities. Skyhawk's unique platform
accelerates building RNA-targeting small molecules across several therapeutic
areas, including rare neurological diseases.(2)
"We are delighted to join forces with the expert teams at Skyhawk, as we explore
the potential for modifying RNA expression across rare and debilitating
neurological conditions." said Steve Glyman, SVP and Head of Neuroscience,
Research & Development at Ipsen. "Our focus and expertise in movement disorders,
and across our portfolio, is bringing best and first-in-class treatments to
those with the highest unmet needs, now further fueled by this novel platform at
the cutting-edge of research."
"Ipsen is an extraordinary company with a deep passion for serving patients, and
we are excited to partner with them to expand their pipeline of innovative
therapies," said Sergey Paushkin, Chief Scientific Officer at Skyhawk. "Our
strategic partnership underscores our shared ambition to develop transformative
medicines for people with rare neurological diseases for which there are no
approved therapeutics."
Under the terms of the agreement Skyhawk is eligible to receive up to $1.8
billion in development, regulatory and commercial milestones, including an
upfront payment, for the option and research collaboration, plus potential for
tiered royalties.
ENDS
About Ipsen
We are a global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on bringing
transformative medicines to patients in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare
Disease and Neuroscience.
Our pipeline is fueled by external innovation and supported by nearly 100 years
of development experience and global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K. Our
teams in more than 40 countries and our partnerships around the world enable us
to bring medicines to patients in more than 80 countries.
Ipsen is listed in Paris (Euronext: IPN) and in the U.S. through a Sponsored
Level I American Depositary Receipt program (ADR: IPSEY). For more information,
visit ipsen.com.
About Skyhawk Therapeutics
Skyhawk Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on
the discovery and development of small molecules that modulate RNA. Skyhawk's
discovery expertise is rooted in its proprietary drug discovery platform which
builds small molecule drug candidates that target RNA splicing targets across a
variety of therapeutic areas including neurodegenerative disease, autoimmune
disease, and oncology. For more information visit www.skyhawktx.com.
Ipsen contacts
Email: corporate.communications@ipsen.com
(mailto:corporate.communications@ipsen.com)
Amy Wolf | +41 7 95 76 07 23
Jess Smith | + 44 7557 267 634
Skyhawk contacts
Maura McMarthy
Email: (mailto:Email:%20%20maura@skyhawktx.com) maura@skyhawktx.com
(mailto:Email:%20%20maura@skyhawktx.com)
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References
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(1) Drugging RNA, Nature article. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-
023-01790-z
(2) Skyhawk Therapeutics. https://www.skyhawktx.com/platform
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