Editas Deal Opens Allergan's Eyes To CRISPR Opportunities

 
• By Lucie Ellis-Taitt
  
Generate a summary of this article
Listen to this article
Beta

Editas' stock shot up 11% by mid-morning on March 14, after the gene therapy company announced a deal with Allergan worth $90m up front for "cool" CRISPR programs in ocular indications. However, the lead therapy included in the deal offers potentially limited profitability in a small orphan space.

DNA detail background with selective focus
Allergan makes its first move into CRISPR gene editing via Editas deal • Source: Horizon Discovery

Allergan PLC has entered a strategic alliance with Editas Medicine Inc. for exclusive access and the option to license up to five of the latter firm's genome-editing ophthalmic programs – including its lead program for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare, inherited retinal degenerative disease that appears in childhood and leads to blindness. This lead therapy is due to enter Phase I trials later in 2017.

Editas will receive a $90m upfront fee from Allergan as well as potential milestone payments and royalties from any approved...

Scrip Podcast

Keep up with the top pharma business news of the week. On the go.

Scrip brings you a weekly bulletin of top picks.

SpotifyApple PodcastsWebsite

More from Business

Test Roche Head Of Pharma Strategy Karsten Jung On Rebuilding The Portfolio

 
• By Jessica Merrill

The Swiss pharma company is rebalancing the portfolio, emphasizing best-in-class drugs and moving into new areas like cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By Reed Miller

In this week's episode: Trump’s UK drug pricing win; Novo explains semaglutide Alzheimer's rationale; J&J and Novartis on this year’s biggest M&A deals; a look at the mixed performance of CAR-Ts; and Akeso’s goals beyond ivonescimab.

Article Without An Author Listed

Here is a short description.

Spotlight On RDCs, AOCs As Leading Novel Bioconjugates[Updated]

Pipelines in bioconjugates continue to develop, from ADCs to XDCs, with radionuclide drug conjugates (RDCs) and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) leading the expansion.

More from Scrip

EHA: Lilly’s Jaypirca Posts First Phase III Triplet Win In CLL While BTK Degraders Advance

Lilly's first Phase III triplet win opens the door to a label expansion in BTK-pretreated CLL, with analysts suggesting Jaypica could attain blockbuster status. However, the window to capitalize may be brief as next-generation BTK degraders close in with head-to-head trials.

EHA: Lilly’s Jaypirca Posts First Phase III Triplet Win In CLL While BTK Degraders Advance - Clone

Lilly's first Phase III triplet win opens the door to a label expansion in BTK-pretreated CLL, with analysts suggesting Jaypica could attain blockbuster status. However, the window to capitalize may be brief as next-generation BTK degraders close in with head-to-head trials.