Bristol-Myers and Isis to collaborate on heart drugs

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Isis Pharmaceuticals have agreed to collaborate on novel antisense drugs for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in a deal worth up to $192 million.   Bristol-Myers Squibb will pay Isis a $15 million upfront licensing fee, and will provide Isis with at least $9 million in research funding over a period of three years. Isis will also receive up to $168 million in milestone payments. Bristol-Myers Squibb will also pay Isis royalties on sales of products resulting from the collaboration.

The therapies developed by the companies will target proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9), which helps regulate the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream. As part of the collaboration, Isis has licensed to Bristol-Myers Squibb exclusive access to its PCSK9 research program.

While Bristol-Myers Squibb will fund all activities under the collaboration, both companies will be responsible for preclinical development. Bristol-Myers Squibb will be responsible for clinical development, regulatory, and commercialization activities.

In addition, Bristol-Myers Squibb will work with Isis to identify follow-on PCSK9 antisense drugs with advanced antisense chemistries that may offer even greater potency and oral bioavailability.
 

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