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.

Key Takeaways
  • Stoke is partnering its Phase III-ready Dravet syndrome candidate with Biogen in a deal that brings Stoke increased financial runway and an ideal commercial partner outside of North America.

Cambridge, MA-based Stoke reported encouraging Phase I/IIa data for zorevunersen last March indicating that its drug demonstrated an ability to...

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