GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has reached an exclusive license agreement with Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialise the latter’s potential therapy ARO-HSD.
ARO-HSD is an investigational RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic that Arrowhead is currently developing under the Phase 1/2 programme, in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
As per the agreement, GSK will receive rights to develop and commercialise ARO-HSD worldwide, except in Greater China. Arrowhead will retain the right in Greater China.
The British drugmaker will make an upfront payment of $120m, along with an additional $30m at the start of Phase 2 trial, and $100m upon the success of Phase 2 trial, and dosing the first patient in Phase 3 trial.
Arrowhead will commercial milestone payments of $190m at the first commercial sale, and sales-related milestone payments of up to $590m, based on the success of the Phase 3 trial.
Also, the company is eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales of the potential product.
GSK is fully responsible for the further clinical development and commercialisation of the potential therapy, outside of Greater China.
The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions and clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
GSK SVP and research head John Lepore said: “NASH can be a life-threatening disorder in which excessive fat build-up in the liver causes inflammatory damage and fibrosis.
“The compelling genetic evidence linking HSD17B13 variants with protection of the liver from inflammatory injury suggests that there is an opportunity to produce a first-in-class medicine to reduce the clinical consequences of NASH.
“It’s exciting to advance Arrowhead’s promising RNAi approach into Phase 2 studies as an important potential new medicine for patients with NASH.”
ARO-HSD is a potential RNAi therapeutic that targets HSD17B13 for the treatment of patients with alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related liver diseases, including NASH.
HSD17B13 belongs to the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase family, which plays an important in the metabolism of hormones, fatty acids, and bile acids.
Arrowhead is studying ARO-HSD in Phase 1/2 single and multiple dose-escalating trials to evaluate its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic effects.
The Phase 1/2 trial also evaluates the drug for additional exploratory objectives including assessment of various measures of drug activity using liver biopsy.
Arrowhead president and CEO Christopher Anzalone said: “Genetic studies have shown that HSD17B13 is a compelling therapeutic target for multiple forms of liver disease.
“Based on the clinical results generated to date, including those recently presented at the 2021 AASLD Liver Meeting, ARO-HSD could have the potential to be the first investigational therapeutic to achieve robust reductions in mRNA and protein levels of hepatic HSD17B13.
“GSK has a global reach and impressive capabilities in the clinical development and commercialization of important medicines. We look forward to enabling GSK to advance ARO-HSD towards the millions of patients worldwide who do not have adequate treatment options.”
