Acadia and Stoke in CNS RNA tie-up worth potential $1 billion

American companies Acadia Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ACAD) and Stoke Therapeutics (Nasdaq: STOK) have announced that the companies have entered a collaboration to discover, develop and commercialize RNA-based medicines for the potential treatment of severe and rare genetic neurodevelopmental diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).

The collaboration includes SYNGAP1 syndrome, Rett syndrome, and an undisclosed neurodevelopmental target of mutual interest.

"Stoke’s RNA-based approach to upregulating healthy proteins offers very exciting new possibilities for the treatment of rare, neurodevelopmental diseases like Rett syndrome"Under the terms of the agreement, Stoke will receive an upfront payment of $60 million from Acadia and is eligible to receive up to $907 million in milestones as well as royalties on future sales.