Sequana deal

Sequana and Boehringer Ingelheim will collaborate to identify genetic causes of asthma and develop therapeutics for the disorder. In addition to investing $6 million in the privately held La Jolla, Calif., company, Boehringer will provide $32.5 million in license fees, research funding and contingent research milestones. Sequana also can achieve $32 million in development milestones.

Sequana will focus on gene identification, while Boehringer will concentrate on gene expression and biology. Boehringer (Ingelheim, Germany) receives exclusive rights to develop and commercialize therapeutic products based on genes discovered through the collaboration, in exchange for royalties, while Sequana retains rights to develop and commercialize diagnostic products. ...