Date: Jun 23, 2014 Author: miRagen Therapeutics Source: Company Data (
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Servier and miRagen Extend Collaboration for the Research, Development and Commercialization of microRNA-targeting Drugs for Cardiovascular Disease
• miRagen and Servier extend their research collaboration by two years to October 2016 to identify and characterize MicroRNA targets and oligonucleotides for cardiovascular diseases.
• Servier will continue to fund pre-clinical research and development of microRNA drugs to collaboration-targets through Phase II clinical trials.
• miRagen retains all U.S. and Japanese commercialization rights while Servier retains rights to all other global markets.
SURESNES, France, and BOULDER, Colo., June 23, 2014 -- Servier, an independent French research-based pharmaceutical company with a significant presence in European and emerging markets, and miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative microRNA-based therapeutics, announced today that they have extended their research collaboration by two years to October 2016 to discover, develop, and commercialize drugs targeting microRNAs for cardiovascular disease. miRagen and Servier Research will continue preclinical research and development on multiple cardiovascular programs targeting microRNAs, including miR-208 and miR-15. Servier will lead the global clinical development and commercialization of microRNA therapeutic product candidates developed through the collaboration in all countries except the U.S. and Japan, where miRagen has retained all rights.
"The two year extension to our research collaboration reflects both the strength of our relationship with miRagen and our shared commitment to improve the lives of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases," said Dr. Jean-Paul Vilaine, Director of Servier's Cardiovascular Research Unit. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration to advance microRNA-based therapeutics into clinical development."
Dr. Emmanuel Canet, Servier's President of Research and Development, commented that "Servier's research efforts in cardiovascular disease are focused on delivering improved, innovative treatments. Extending our research collaboration with miRagen to discover novel cardiovascular miRNA-based therapeutics is a very important component of these efforts."
"Extending our research collaboration with Servier highlights our collective dedication to harnessing the power of microRNAs to develop transformative therapies for patients in need," said William S. Marshall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. "We believe that our microRNA therapeutics platform combined with Servier's extensive knowledge and commitment to cardiovascular disease will allow us to deliver breakthrough therapies that improve human health."
About the miRagen / Servier Cardiovascular Collaboration
In October 2011, miRagen entered into a License and Collaboration Agreement with Servier with the goal of advancing microRNA-based therapies in cardiovascular disease. The collaboration initially included two named targets (miR-208 and miR-15/195) and in May 2013 Servier exercised an option to include an additional undisclosed target to the collaboration. Under the terms of the agreement, miRagen received an upfront payment in 2011 and an additional payment when Servier expanded the agreement to cover the additional target in 2013. miRagen may also receive additional research and development milestone payments, commercial milestone payments and royalties on the sale of products developed under the collaboration. Servier will continue to finance the research, development, regulatory approval, and commercialization costs of product candidates under the collaboration. miRagen retains all commercialization rights in the U.S. and Japan, and the option to co-sponsor any Phase III programs if miRagen elects to seek marketing approval in the U.S. or Japan for any product developed under the collaboration.
About microRNAs
MicroRNAs have emerged as an important class of small RNAs encoded in the genome, acting as master regulators of gene expression. Recent studies have indicated that microRNAs appear to be associated with many disease processes. Because they are thought to be single molecular entities that dictate the expression of fundamental regulatory pathways, microRNAs represent potential drug targets for controlling many biologic and disease processes.1
About miRagen Therapeutics, Inc.
miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative microRNA (miRNA)-targeting therapies in disease areas of high unmet medical need. The Company seeks to leverage in-house expertise in miRNA biology, oligonucleotide chemistry, and drug development to evaluate and advance promising technologies and high-potential product candidates for its own pipeline and in conjunction with strategic collaborators. For certain cardiovascular disease programs, miRagen has a collaboration and license agreement with Servier, an independent French research-based pharmaceutical company. miRagen retains all rights for the Servier-partnered programs in the U.S and Japan. For more information, please visit www.miragenrx.com.
About Servier
Founded in 1954, Servier is an independent French pharmaceutical research company. Its development is based on the continuous pursuit of innovation in the therapeutic areas of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, psychiatric and bone and joint diseases as well as oncology. Servier is established in 140 countries and employs more than 21,000 people worldwide. In 2013, Servier recorded a turnover of 4.2 billion euros of which 27% was reinvested in Research and Development. 91% of Servier drugs are consumed outside France and the Servier Group contributed 35% to the 2013 French trade surplus in the pharmaceuticals sector. More information is available at: www.servier.com.
