Express New strategies for targeting "drug-free" targets! AbbVie reached a $540 million partnership

AbbVie and Anima Biotech have announced a collaboration to discover and develop mRNA biological regulators in cancer and immunology
.
Anima will use its proprietary mRNA platform to assist AbbVie in identifying target-related mRNA regulators and provide AbbVie with exclusive development and commercialization rights
for this project.

Anima's proprietary technology platform enables real-time observation of levels of mRNA translation, which can be used to screen small molecule candidate compounds
with increased or reduced specificity for protein synthesis.
Anima's proprietary advanced mRNA innovation platform assists in the discovery of small molecule drugs targeting mRNA biology and their associated mechanisms
.
This platform is unique in its MOAi technology, which enables high-scale, automated phenotypic screening for mRNA biology, which uses artificial intelligence to analyze the mechanisms of action of
active molecules.
Anima's fully developed pipeline includes mRNA bioregulators for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including mRNA bioregulators targeting type 1 collagen for fibrosis (a preclinical program for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis with potential application in other fibrotic diseases), c-Myc and mutant Kras for cancer, and Tau protein for Alzheimer's disease
.

Under the agreement, Anima will receive an upfront payment of $42 million and is eligible for up to $540 million based on AbbVie's selection and R&D and commercialization milestones across the three targets
.
In addition, AbbVie has the ability to expand the collaboration to add three additional targets under the original agreement, which will likely increase the potential value
of this agreement.

"This collaboration will provide AbbVie Anima's leading technology platform and access to its deep expertise in mRNA biology to further strengthen AbbVie's outstanding capabilities in life-changing drug discovery and development," said Dr.
Jonathon Sedgwick, Head of Global Research and Vice President at AbbVie, "Using small molecules to modulate mRNA biology is an innovative approach with the potential to address many therapeutic areas.
" Potential for druggable' targets
.
”