Isis Pharma Begins Phase 1 Trial Of ISIS-GSK3 Rx - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ISIS) has initiated a Phase 1 study for ISIS-GSK3Rx and earned a $3.0 million milestone payment from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK, GSK.L). ISIS-GSK3Rxis designed to inhibit the production of an undisclosed target to treat a common viral infection. Isis would develop ISIS-GSK3Rx to Phase 2 proof-of-concept, after which GSK has an exclusive option to in-license the program and further develop and commercialize the asset.

Lynne Parshall, chief operating officer of Isis, noted, "The versatility and broad applicability of our technology enables us to discover and develop antisense drugs to a diverse range of targets. We look forward to evaluating this important new drug in this underserved disease space."

Under its alliance with GSK, Isis is eligible to earn additional pre-licensing milestone payments from GSK as ISIS-GSK3Rx advances. Moreover, Isis is eligible to receive double-digit royalties on sales of ISIS-GSK3Rx. The alliance applies Isis' antisense drug discovery platform to discover and develop new therapeutics against targets for rare and serious diseases, including infectious diseases and some conditions causing blindness.