Biogen and City Therapeutics, a private biopharmaceutical company specializing in RNA interference (RNAi) technology, have announced a strategic collaboration to develop novel RNAi-based therapies targeting central nervous system diseases. City Therapeutics will provide its next-generation RNAi engineering technologies, which will be combined with Biogen’s proprietary drug delivery platform. The collaboration aims to enable systemic administration of medicines using tissue-enhanced delivery methods. Biogen will lead investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, global clinical development, regulatory submissions, and commercialization efforts for the programs under this partnership.
Jane Grogan, Ph.D., Head of Research at Biogen, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with City Therapeutics and highlighted the opportunity to work alongside their leading scientists on important programs. Andy Orth, Chief Executive Officer of City Therapeutics, stated, “By combining our novel RNAi platform with Biogen’s industry-leading capabilities in global drug development, we aim to accelerate the advancement of therapies for serious diseases. We look forward to demonstrating the potential of our RNAi platform in addressing this area of significant unmet need.” Biogen also holds the option to select an additional target subject to further payment. This collaboration reflects Biogen’s strategy to broaden its research approaches by integrating external innovations.
