The Medicines Company gets rights to Alnylam's PCSK9 inhibitors program for cholesterol

USA-based The Medicines Company (Nasdaq: MDCO) has formed an exclusive global alliance with RNAi therapeutics company Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALNY) for the development and commercialization of the latter’s ALN-PCS RNAi therapeutic program for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Under the terms of the agreement, The Medicines Company will make an upfront cash payment of $25 million to Alnylam, which may also receive potential development and commercial milestone payments of up to $180 million. Alnylam will be eligible to receive scaled double-digit royalties on global products sales of ALN-PCS products.

The Medicines Company and Alnylam intend to collaborate on the advancement of the ALN-PCS program. Alnylam’s ALN-PCS program includes ALN-PCS02 - an intravenously administered RNAi therapeutic which has completed a Phase I trial, and ALN-PCSsc - a subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic currently in pre-clinical development. Alnylam will continue the program for an estimated one to two years to complete certain pre-clinical and Phase I clinical studies. The Medicines Company is responsible for leading and funding development from Phase II forward and commercializing the ALN-PCS program if successful