Moderna expands cystic fibrosis partnership with Vertex

Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) inks a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) aimed at the discovery and development of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and mRNAs for the delivery of gene-editing therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF).

The initial focus of the three-year partnership will be on the discovery and optimization of novel LNPs and mRNAs that can deliver gene-editing therapies to cells in the lungs where cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein can be produced.

Under the terms of the agreement, Moderna will conduct research to discover and optimize novel LNPs for the delivery of gene-editing therapies to lung cells for the treatment of CF. It will also be responsible for the discovery and manufacturing of LNPs and mRNA constructs encoding gene-editing endonucleases.

Vertex will be responsible for providing other components of the gene-editing therapies to be formulated into LNPs as well as subsequent preclinical and clinical development and potential commercialization efforts.

Moderna will receive $75M upfront, up to $380M in milestones and tiered royalties on net sales.

This agreement builds on the companies’ first partnership deal, inked in July 2016, aimed at the discovery and development of mRNAs for CF.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3614776-moderna-expands-cystic-fibrosis-partnership-vertex-pharma