Biogen Idec and Sangamo BioSciences collaborate on blood disorder therapeutics

10 January 2014

US biotech firm Biogen Idec (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Sangamo Biosciences (Nasdaq: SGMO) have signed an exclusive worldwide collaboration and license agreement focused on blood disorders. Sangamo shares jumped as much as 30% to a six-year high of $17.73 yesterday morning (January 9).

Specifically, they will seek to develop therapeutics for hemoglobinopathies, inherited conditions that result from the abnormal structure or underproduction of hemoglobin. The agreement will enable Biogen Idec to further enhance its expertise in non-malignant hematology by leveraging Sangamo's proprietary genome-editing technology platform to develop treatments targeting sickle cell disease (SCD) and beta-thalassemia.

Deal could be worth more than $300 million to Sangamo

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