Besides collaborating on three cancer targets, AstraZeneca is also developing two antisense drugs, ISIS-AR and ISIS-STAT3 discovered by Isis. AstraZeneca had acquired license for the two antisense drugs from Isis.
Commenting on the research partnership, Isis Pharmaceuticals chief operating officer Lynne Parshall said, "Our oncology franchise consists of five antisense drugs in development to treat patients with a variety of cancers."
Isis entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca in December 2012 to discover and develop antisense drugs in treating cancer.
In upfront and milestone payments from AstraZeneca, Isis has earned $41m, including the $6m payment, and is eligible to earn additional milestone payments as the agreement progresses.