Alnylam Finds Partner For Liver Cancer Program In China’s Ascletis

13 Jul 2012

U.S.-China hybrid Ascletis is in-licensing rights to Phase II-ready RNA-interference program ALN-VSP from Alnylam with an eye on developing a groundbreaking therapy for an underserved indication that hits especially hard in China.

Seeking a partner for more than a year for its Phase II-ready hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) candidate, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. found one July 12 in the U.S./China hybrid company Ascletis Inc. The privately held firm, founded in 2011 with a mission to both discover and develop internal candidates while also in-licensing mid-stage candidates from other companies, has obtained development and commercialization rights to ALN-VSP in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

The deal calls for Alnylam to receive milestone payments tied to development and regulatory goals, as well as potential sales...