The partnership will initially focus on Assembly Bio’s next-gen core inhibitor ABI-4334, intended for HBV, long-acting helicase-primase inhibitor ABI-5366 and orally bioavailable HDV entry inhibitor ABI-6250 for herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Gilead, Assembly Bio to develop antiviral medicines. (Credit: Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay)
US-based companies Gilead Sciences and Assembly Biosciences have announced a 12-year partnership to advance the research and development of novel antiviral therapies.
Under the partnership, Assembly Bio will receive $100m, which includes an $84.8m upfront payment and a $15.2m equity investment from Gilead.
In addition to the therapeutics development, Gilead has agreed to purchase up to 29.9% of Assembly Bio’s outstanding voting stock, subject to certain conditions.
Assembly Bio is currently developing a portfolio of small-molecule antiviral therapeutics, which include both clinical and preclinical programmes.
Its next-gen core inhibitor ABI-4334 is intended for HBV, long-acting helicase-primase inhibitor ABI-5366, and orally bioavailable HDV entry inhibitor ABI-6250 for herpes simplex virus (HSV).
The partnership will initially focus on Assembly Bio’s established areas of herpesviruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV), said Gilead.
Gilead virology research senior vice president Tomas Cihlar said: “Advancing the next wave of innovation in virology remains a core focus for Gilead as we seek to address the unmet needs of people affected by serious viral infections around the world.
“Collaborations and partnerships are key in the pursuit of the next wave of transformative innovations.
“We are excited to announce this partnership with Assembly Bio to synergize our efforts on advancing and accelerating the discovery and development of novel antiviral therapeutics.”
Gilead may choose to acquire exclusive rights for Assembly Bio’s programmes, including two preclinical programs targeting HSV and herpesviruses, by paying at least $45m per program.
Assembly Bio is eligible to receive up to $330m per programme in potential regulatory and commercial milestones, in addition to royalties on the net sales of the products.
It is also eligible to receive three separate tranches of $75m for the extension of collaboration and will be primarily responsible for the research and development, before Gilead’s opt-in.
Following the opt-in, Gilead will be responsible for the discovery, research, development and commercialisation of the optioned programmes.
Assembly Bio president and CEO Jason Okazaki said: “We are thrilled to partner with Gilead to address significant unmet medical needs in herpesviruses, viral hepatitis and beyond.
“With Gilead’s established success in developing and commercialising antiviral medicines and Assembly Bio’s advanced virology research capabilities, we believe the shared expertise and promising investigational therapies that both organisations contribute to this collaboration have the potential to deliver significant advances to patients.
“This transaction represents a critical step in Assembly Bio’s path to becoming a fully integrated biotechnology company and we are eager to begin working with our new partner.”