GlaxoSmithKline and Santaris Pharma Enter Global R&D Alliance

GlaxoSmithKline and Santaris Pharma have announced that they have entered into a worldwide strategic alliance for the discovery, development and commercialisation of novel medicines against viral diseases.

A globab R&D alliance between GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Santaris Pharma provides GSK access to patented RNA antagonist compounds, based on Santaris Pharma's unique Locked Nucleic Acid technology, for development as potential new therapies for selected viral diseases.

- We are delighted that GlaxoSmithKline has chosen to collaborate with Santaris Pharma in the RNA medicines field. We are confident that the high potency and exquisite precision of RNA targeting achievable by LNA oligonucleotides has the potential to achieve clinical breakthroughs in viral infections. I can think of no stronger partner for Santaris Pharma in infectious disease research than GSK, says Dr Henrik Ørum, Santaris Pharma's Chief Scientific Officer and VP Business Development.

Santaris Pharma will receive an upfront fee for the first antiviral programme of £1.5m and GSK will make an equity investment of £2.5m in Santaris Pharma. If candidate drugs from the first viral target programme are successful and reach the market, GSK could make additional milestone payments to Santaris Pharma of up to £69.5m for this first programme.

For further information visit the Santaris Pharma website.

Source: Santaris Pharma, press release, 19.12.2007