Ionis Pharmaceuticals Licenses Oral RNA-based Therapeutic to Janssen

Upon completion of investigational new drug studies for IONIS-JBI1-2.5_RX, Janssen will take over the development of Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ antisense drug, Ionis announced on July 19, 2016 in a press release. The drug is an RNA-based therapeutic that is delivered orally and works on an “undisclosed target” in the gastrointestinal tract. The licensing action is occurring a year and a half after the companies first announced their partnership deal, and Ionis will receive $10 million from the licensing agreement, as well as a portion of sales of commercialized product.

The deal with Janssen covers three Ionis drug programs to treat autoimmune disorders of the lower digestive system. Ionis is also in partnerships with other companies to commercialize various RNA-based therapeutics, including deals with Akcea Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline, and Biogen.