Isis Pharma Earns $1 Mln From GSK For Advancing Hepatitis B Virus Program

(RTTNews) - Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ISIS) said it has earned a $1 million payment from GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK, GSK.L) related to the advancement of its program to develop antisense drugs to treat hepatitis B virus or HBV.

Isis' chief operating officer, Lynne Parshall, noted that the firm's collaboration with GSK has been very productive resulting in three novel antisense drugs in its pipeline. He continued, "Including the $1 million announced today, we have earned $11 million in payments from GSK to discover and develop drugs for HBV."

As part of its strategic alliance with GSK, Isis is discovering and developing drugs for HBV treatment, which GSK has the exclusive option to in-license and further develop and commercialize after Isis completes the first clinical proof of concept trial. Isis is eligible to earn pre-licensing payments from GSK as the HBV program advances in development. Also, Isis is eligible to receive double-digit royalties on sales from any product that GSK commercializes under this strategic alliance with GSK, including those arising out of this HBV program.

HBV infection is a serious health problem that may result in significant and potentially fatal health conditions, including cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.