BRIEF—NapaJen and Astellas agree R&D pact

California’s NapaJen Pharma has inked an R&D deal with Astellas Pharma for the discovery and development of novel oligonucleotide therapeutics.

The firms will use NapaJen’s novel oligonucleotide delivery technology to discover and develop novel oligonucleotide drug candidates. NapaJen will receive an upfront payment and research funding, plus research milestone payments.

NapaJen chief executive Hironori Ando said: “NapaJen believes that oligonucleotide-based drugs possess tremendous therapeutic potential and commits to unlock this potential by overcoming the key delivery challenges that have limited the class to date.”