Amgen is evaluating AMG 890 in a Phase 1 clinical study designed to assess its safety in volunteers with elevated levels of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)).
Emerging research has shown that elevated levels of Lp(a) are strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. AMG 890 is an RNAi therapeutic designed to lower Lp(a) for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Arrowhead president and CEO Chris Anzalone said: “We are thrilled that Amgen has advanced AMG 890 into a Phase 1 clinical study, resulting in a $10 million milestone payment to Arrowhead.
“Amgen has extensive expertise in developing and commercializing innovative cardiovascular medicines and we view our collaboration as further validation of the potential for Arrowhead’s proprietary Targeted RNAi Molecule, or TRiM, technology platform to generate compelling product candidates. Importantly, AMG 890 represents the third drug candidate enabled by TRiM™ to enter clinical development this year, following ARO-AAT and ARO-HBV.”
Amgen executive vice president of research and development David Reese said: “Amgen has a long-standing commitment to advancing innovative cardiovascular programs and the AMG 890 program is no exception.
“We’re excited to embark on the AMG 890 clinical program in which we hope to translate strong genetic insights and Arrowhead’s exciting new RNAi technology into a treatment for patients with cardiovascular disease and elevated levels of Lp(a).”
Under the terms of the two cardiovascular agreements announced in September 2016, Arrowhead is eligible to receive up to $617 million in option payments, and development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments.
Arrowhead is further eligible to receive up to low double-digit royalties for sales of products under the AMG 890 agreement and single-digit royalties for sales of products against an undisclosed target.
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes.
RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.
Source: Company Press Release