Stoke Gets Runway, Biogen A Late-Stage Asset In Epilepsy Collaboration

Biogen will pay $165m up front for ex-North American rights to Stoke’s Phase III-ready Dravet syndrome candidate, an antisense drug offering disease-modifying potential.

Epilepsy
Stoke is partnering with Biogen on its antisense candidate for a rare type of epilepsy

In what observers are calling a sensible deal for both sides, Stoke Therapeutics and Biogen revealed on 18 February that they will collaborate on development and commercialization of Stoke’s antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy for Dravet syndrome, zorevunersen (STK-001). The deal brings Stoke added financial runway and an experienced commercial partner that has succeeded with ASO therapies, while Biogen obtains a late-stage candidate that may offer blockbuster sales in an underserved rare disease.

More from Advanced Therapies

Japan T-Reg Venture RegCell Raises New Funds, Relocates To US

 
• By 

Kyoto-based venture moves HQ to California to expand R&D and business outreach for its regulatory T-cell technology, as it raises around $46m in public and private funding.

Stock Watch: Are Gene Therapy Prices Too High For Success?

 
• By 

The promise of innovative therapies seems to have been constrained not by efficacy or safety concerns, but because the high price of treatments is incongruous with the reimbursement of short-course therapies.

Ultragenyx CEO Emil Kakkis: ‘Our Future Is In Our Hands’

 

The founder and CEO of Ultragenyx talked with Scrip as the company approaches a pivotal data readout and awaits US FDA action on its first gene therapy.

Regenxbio Rises After Duchenne Update And Sarepta Safety Scare

 

Encouraging results in younger children with Duchenne is keeping Regenxbio on track for a potential mid-2026 filing for its gene therapy, RGX-202.

More from Therapy Areas

Soleno’s Vykat Gains First Prader-Willi Syndrome Approval, Rivals To Follow

 

After a long wait for patients, Vykat has become the first drug approved for Prader-Willi syndrome symptoms, opening the market up for Soleno and future challengers.

Wave Aspires To Accelerated Approval In DMD With 48-Week Data

 
• By 

With its exon 53-skipping candidate already showing promise in 24-week data, Wave now has 48-week data showing improvements in muscle health and functional outcomes.

Rybrevant/Lazcluze Survival Win Could Overcome Tagrisso’s Convenience Advantage

 

J&J is confident that its bispecific antibody/kinase inhibitor combo’s overall survival win over AstraZeneca’s single-agent pill will shift the standard of care.