Remix Collaborates with Janssen to Use RNA Reprogramming Platform for Small Molecule Therapeutics

Rare Daily Staff    

Remix Therapeutics, a biotech developing small molecule therapies designed to reprogram RNA processing and address the underlying drivers of disease, signed a strategic collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceutica, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, for the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics that modulate RNA processing using Remix’s REMaster drug discovery platform.

The REMaster drug discovery platform makes it possible to identify patterns in RNA processing and exploit them to modulate gene expression. Remix says its therapeutic approach has the ability to alter the way genes are read from the genome, to correct, enhance, or eliminate the gene message, and thereby address disease drivers at their origin.

Under the terms of the agreement, which was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Remix will receive an initial payment of $45 million in cash for upfront and research funding, and may also receive preclinical, clinical, commercial, and sales milestone payments and tiered royalties for any resulting products. In exchange, Janssen will have exclusive rights to three specific targets with applications in immunology and oncology. Remix will have the ability to opt into a portion of the costs of clinical development on one program in exchange for higher royalties. Under the agreement, Remix is eligible to receive total payments potentially exceeding $1 billion, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions.

“This collaboration further validates the therapeutic potential of our proprietary REMaster drug discovery platform and provides additional resources to translate our cutting-edge science into new medicines,” said Peter Smith, co-founder and CEO of Remix Therapeutics.

Photo: Peter Smith, co-founder and CEO of Remix Therapeutics