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Santaris, Miragen Expand microRNA Partnership to Include Additional Targets

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Santaris Pharma and Miragen Therapeutics this week announced that they have expanded their ongoing microRNA therapeutics partnership to include six additional targets.

The companies first began working together in 2010 when they signed a deal giving Miragen access to Santaris' locked nucleic acid technology to develop miRNA inhibitors against four unnamed cardiovascular disease targets (GSN 6/24/2010). As part of the arrangement, Santaris picked up an undisclosed stake in Miragen.

The newest agreement brings the number of targets against which Miragen can apply the LNA technology to ten. As with the first deal, Santaris received an upfront payment of cash and equity, and stands to receive payments based on the achievement of clinical milestones plus royalties on marketed products.

Additional terms were not disclosed.

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