Ionis and Ono Partner on Sapablursen
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Ono), announced that the two companies have entered into a license agreement in which Ono obtains exclusive global rights for the development and commercialization of sapablursen, an investigational RNA-targeted medicine for polycythemia vera (PV), a rare and potentially life-threatening hematologic disease
Sapablursen is currently being evaluated in adults living with PV in the fully enrolled Phase II IMPRSSION study. Sapablursen was granted Fast Track designation and orphan drug designation in 2024 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Under the terms of the agreement, Ionis will receive a $280 million upfront payment, with the potential to earn up to $660 million in additional payments based on the achievement of development, regulatory and sales milestones. Ionis is also eligible to earn royalties in the mid-teen percentage range on annual net sales of sapablursen. Ionis will be responsible for the completion of the ongoing Phase 2 IMPRSSION study, while Ono will be solely responsible for subsequent development, regulatory filings and commercialization.
Ono will handle development after the completion of the Phase II study, as well as regulatory filings and commercialization. If sapablursen reaches the market, Ionis is in line for royalties in the “mid-teen” percentage range.
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