Lipigon acquires antisense drug candidates for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases from Secarna.
The company has acquired antisense drug candidates jointly generated with Secarna Pharmaceuticals under a previous research collaboration. Lipigon will continue the research and development of the acquired assets targeting the ANGPTL gene family, and Secarna will receive undisclosed payments customary for such a transaction.
“We are very pleased with the Secarna collaboration under the target validation agreement. Together we have built a strong patent portfolio and moreover, we have generated a powerful in vivo and in vitro data package. Secarna’s LNAplus platform has given us fully optimized clinical candidates that we are looking forward to bringing into IND-enabling studies,” says CEO and cofounder Stefan K. Nilsson. “The acquisition is in line with Lipigon’s business model to fully control our pipeline until out-licensing or market introduction. We believe that this agreement will make our case more attractive for investors.”
Treating orphan indications
Inhibiting the ANGPTL gene family members ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 will positively affect plasma lipid levels, states the company. Drugs targeting these gene products could be used for treating orphan indications such as Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome or Homozygote Familial Hypercholesterolemia, but also more common diseases such as cardiovascular, metabolic liver and kidney diseases. Antisense therapeutics have recently proven to be very attractive. Several big pharma companies showed major licensing and acquisition agreements in 2019.
Stefan K Nilsson, CEO Lipigon. Photo: Ola Jacobsen
