Roche signs $1.16B obesity drug deal with China’s Rona Therapeutics
Swiss drugmaker Roche (RHHBY) entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Chinese biotechnology company Rona Therapeutics for an experimental obesity drug candidate, in a deal worth up to $1.16B.
Under the agreement, Rona will receive an upfront payment of $100M and is eligible for up to $1.06B in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered royalties on global net sales.
The RNAi therapy targets ALK7, a protein involved in fat storage and metabolism. Rona said the treatment could reduce visceral and ectopic fat while preserving lean mass, potentially complementing existing incretin-based obesity drugs.
The deal strengthens Roche’s obesity drug pipeline as it competes with Eli Lilly (LLY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO).
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