BioCentury
ARTICLE | Top Story

Moderna, AstraZeneca in mRNA deal

March 22, 2013 12:59 AM UTC

AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) partnered with Moderna Therapeutics Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) to discover, develop and commercialize messenger RNA therapeutics to treat cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases, as well as cancer. Under the five-year deal, Moderna will be responsible for designing and manufacturing mRNA therapeutics against targets selected by AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca has an option to select up to 40 therapeutics and will be responsible for further preclinical and clinical development, as well as commercialization. Moderna will receive $240 million up front and is eligible for up to $180 million in three undisclosed, technical milestones. The biotech is eligible for undisclosed milestones for each product, plus high single-digit to low double-digit royalties.

Moderna is developing chemically modified mRNAs that can be delivered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The mRNAs, which can elude the body's immune system, are translated into therapeutic proteins in vivo using the body's natural processes (see BioCentury, Jan. 28). ...