AstraZeneca inks mRNA collaboration with German biotech firm

German biotech firm Ethris has entered into a five-year strategic research strategic alliance with AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) and its biologics R&D arm MedImmune to develop new RNA therapies for respiratory diseases using Ethris’ proprietary stabilized non-immunogenic mRNA (SNIM-RNA) platform.

The collaboration builds on AstraZeneca’s expertise in respiratory disease and inhaled delivery technologies by giving the company’s MedImmune and Innovative Medicines (IMED) biotech units exclusive access to SNIM-RNA technology to develop multiple new targets for investigation in the diseases of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.  

Financial considerations

Ethris will receive 25 million euros ($29.4 million) upfront, plus research funding, and is eligible for future R&D milestones, including sales-related royalties upon commercialization. AstraZeneca and MedImmune will have the option to take exclusive worldwide licenses on completion of the research plan for each target within the collaboration.

Bahija Jallal, executive vice president, MedImmune, said: “Rapid advances over the last decade have made mRNA a very promising tool for clinical application, and we are excited to collaborate with Ethris, whose advanced platform is leading in RNA delivery to the lung. This collaboration complements our respiratory science focused on early intervention and disease modification by adding novel ways to target disease mechanisms that cannot be addressed by other approaches currently in our pipeline.”

Dr Carsten Rudolph, president and chief executive of Ethris, added: “This collaboration validates Ethris’ leading position in the development and delivery of mRNA therapies for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. This collaboration pairs our proprietary technology with the world-class expertise of AstraZeneca and MedImmune in respiratory diseases, biologics development and commercialisation, and positions us to bring forward new options for patients.”

mRNA therapies deliver genetic instructions to cells, which drive the target cells to produce selected proteins to help prevent or fight diseases. Ethris’ proprietary mRNA technology can be targeted to the lungs where it helps to replace, inhibit or augment proteins that are involved in causing or exacerbating respiratory disease. mRNA-based therapeutics may also provide new opportunities to modify the course of the disease or its symptoms.