Ascidian Therapeutics and Eli Lilly have entered a global research collaboration to develop RNA exon editors for inherited kidney diseases, with deal value of up to $1.9 billion for Ascidian, including potential milestones and royalties.
Lilly gains exclusive rights to use Ascidian’s RNA exon‑editing platform against certain undisclosed monogenic kidney disease targets, expanding its genetic‑medicines portfolio.
The collaboration will combine Ascidian’s exon‑editing product engine with Lilly’s leadership in genetic medicines and could be expanded to additional targets beyond the initial kidney‑disease programs.
Ascidian’s RNA exon‑editing platform removes or bypasses disease‑causing exons from mRNA, avoiding production of malformed proteins, and is already being explored in other therapeutic areas such as neurology and oncology.
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